Ilocos Norte police attribute peaceful polls to voters’ cooperation

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SAFE POLLS. Col. Frederick Obar, Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Office Director, presents to the media the assorted firearms that were surrendered and deposited for safekeeping at Camp Capt. Valentin S. Juan in Laoag City. (Contributed photo)

LAOAG CITY — The Ilocos Norte Provincial Police Office (INPPO) on Tuesday attributed the peaceful elections in the province to the cooperation of the voters.

“Our heartfelt gratitude goes to our security forces, force multipliers, poll workers and most especially, the voting public for their discipline, vigilance and cooperation,” Col. Frederick Obar, INPPO director, said in a statement.

Obar added that the surrender and depositing of assorted firearms by local candidates and their supporters amid the enforcement of the gun ban also helped in maintaining peace and order during the elections.

Despite reports of alleged vote-buying and political tension in some areas in the province, Monday’s midterm elections were mainly calm and orderly in Ilocos Norte, with no major incidents reported, Obar said.

“Our people are not afraid to cast their votes. Our people are confident and free to cast their votes. This showed how a community works as one to protect the sanctity of votes,” he added.

Some 2,500 security personnel, including those from the Philippine Marines, Philippine Navy, Bureau of Fire Protection and Philippine Coast Guard, among others, were deployed to the province on election day.

Ilocos Norte has more than 436,000 registered voters./apl