LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte (PIA) – The Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Office (INPPO) started conducting peace dialogues, deployment of quick response teams, and other safety protocols to ensure a safe and peaceful Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) this October 30.
According to PCOL Julius Suriben, provincial director of INPPO, their first step was to transfer police officers who have relatives who are election candidates stationed in the same town.
The second step was the deployment of quick reaction teams to augment police stations in the province to enforce the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) gun ban and other prohibitions on the Omnibus Election Code.
Suriben added that the INPPO already collected 125 firearms from candidates and private citizens in compliance with the Comelec gun ban; 106 of which were voluntarily surrendered and 19 were confiscated.
As of posting, the INPPO has also spearheaded 20 Peace Covenants, Unity Walks, and Oath and Signing of Integrity Pledges in some towns in the province.
This program by the INPPO gathers the candidates in the towns, along with security personnel, civil society organizations, religious sectors, and other volunteers to participate in a peace walk, a dialogue, and pledge to follow protocols in the election process and campaigning.
