CAMP RUPERTO KANGLEON, PALO, Leyte – The Regional Police Office 8 (PRO8) gave a heroes’ welcome to police personnel who were deployed to ensure a peaceful conduct of the May 13 elections in the region
Police General Dionardo Carlos, police regional director, led the welcoming ceremony held at the grounds of the regional headquarters of the Philippine National Police (PNP), here, Monday (May 20).
About 8,625 policemen were tasked during the May 13 elections described by the police and the regional Commission on Elections (Comelec) as generally peaceful and orderly.
“You are our unsung heroes. We turned the impossible into possible thru our combined efforts. Without your cooperation and dedication, we could not have done it flawlessly. So to everyone who imparted their lives and limbs in this endeavor, my sincerest thank you to all of you,” Carlos said.
The deployment of Special Operation Task Group in Calbayog City that covers the entire Samar Island under Police Colonel Rolando Miranda, deputy regional director for operation, also helped in ensuring that the recent poll become successful and peaceful.
Records from the PNP-8, there were only 79 shooting incidents that occurred during the entire election period compare to the 149 incidents recorded during the 2016 elections.
“There was a big improvement this year. We also engaged those involved in the elections like the candidates especially those with historical background,” Carlos said.
PRO8 added that the shooting incident in San Isidro, Leyte that killed its municipal administration Levi Mabini cannot still be consider an election related incident because the investigation is still on-going.
Most of the shooting incidents were due to personal grudge, land dispute, and heated argument, police said. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
