BY MA. THERESA LADIAO
ILOILO City – The Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) will deploy more than 3,000 police officers across Western Visayas to ensure security during the filing of Certificates of Candidacy (COC) from October 1 to 8, 2024.
PRO-6 director
Police Brigadier General Jack Wanky announced that an initial 300 personnel will be assigned to COC filing areas, with additional forces available for police visibility, traffic management, and other necessary tasks.
“The number could increase based on demand. We also have reserve officers and office personnel available if needed,” Wanky said.
The breakdown of police personnel deployment per province is as follows:
* Iloilo City Police Office (CPO) – 201 outside, 12 inside filing areas
* Antique Police Provincial Office (PPO) – 363 outside, 40 inside
* Capiz PPO – 397 outside, 34 inside
* Guimaras PPO – 137 outside, 10 inside
* Iloilo PPO – 931 outside, 97 inside
* Negros Occidental PPO – 706 outside, 62 inside
* Aklan PPO – 344 outside, 36 inside
* Bacolod CPO – 186 outside, 4 inside
Wanky noted that the decision to hold COC filing in malls this year adds a layer of security and control to the process.
“The situation is more favorable now because the filing will be done in malls, where the area is controlled and secure,” he explained.
The number of police personnel deployed is expected to be sufficient for the eight-day filing period, according to Wanky./PN
