SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union (PIA) — A few days before the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) 2023, the La Union Police Provincial Office (LUPPO) joined government agencies on Monday in sending off forces to be deployed for election duties.

The multi-agency send-off and turnover ceremony were held at Camp Diego Silang in this city which was attended by the Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP),  Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and the Commission on Elections (COMELEC).

In his message, PCOL Lambert Suerte, LUPPO provincial director, said its workforce partnered with other government entities, law enforcement agencies, and other sectors to ensure a free and orderly exercise of the right to suffrage.

“Today marks another important event of which kinakailangan ‘yong unity natin para pagtulung-tulungan natin at mapanatili natin ang ating tungkulin bilang tagabantay ng kapayapaan sa parating na October 30 Barangay and SK Elections 2023 and we have already had our preparations,” said Suerte.

Suerte added that the send-off ceremony signifies the PNP’s resolve to synergize its efforts and resources with its fellow public servants to perform their duties and responsibilities this coming BSKE with the utmost professionalism, credibility, and impartiality.

Meanwhile, lawyer Joel Gines, provincial election supervisor of La Union, expressed his gratitude to the police and other law enforcement agencies for their commitment to ensuring the peaceful conduct of BSKE 2023.

“Iisa lang ang aim natin sa election, andiyan lagi ‘yong peaceful and nandiyan po kayong members of the PNP and other law enforcement agencies na taga-keep ng peace. There will be no peaceful elections kung wala po kayo,” said Gines.

A total of 1,399 personnel from LUPPO and 172 land and air assets are set to be deployed in voting precincts and checkpoint operations within the province.

The AFP, PNP, and PCG were directed to provide security to polling places, including election materials and paraphernalia on October 30.

They will also provide security to COMELEC personnel, its deputies, and other persons performing election-related functions as well as available land, air, and watercraft assets, communication systems, and other equipment to assist the commission.

The PNP is monitoring at least 47 barangays which are under the yellow category or areas of concern in the province that have a history of election-related incidents in the last two elections.
 

LUPPO also urged all uniformed personnel to perform their duties with the utmost dedication that bespeaks their strong hearts for public service. (JCR/AMB/KJCR, PIA La Union)