PNP on heightened alert for start of local campaign period

(INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/LYN RILLON)

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) is on heightened alert for the kickoff of the local campaign period for the 2025 midterm elections.

PNP Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo, in a recording sent to reporters in Camp Crame on Thursday, said PNP chief Gen. Rommel Marbil ordered the police force to maintain and sustain their visibility in areas of engagement.

“Heightened alert tayo dyan. Ibig sabihin ay mga at least 75 percent of the total strength ng PNP ay dapat readily available for deployment yan,” Fajardo said.

(We’re on heightened alert for that. That means at least 75 percent of the total strength of the PNP should be readily available for deployment.)

“The remaining percentage ay readily on-call yan in case there is a need to increase yung deployment depending on the security environment,” she added.

(The remaining percentage should be readily on-call in case there is a need to increase the deployment depending on the security environment.)

Fajardo detailed that the police force cancelled its officers’ leaves for the time being, except leaves for emergencies.

She added another part of Marbil’s orders was to extend officers’ 12-hour shifts, depending on the situation in their areas of assignment.

She likewise explained that the police force’s security stance was also in anticipation of the end of the academic year and the Holy Week.

READ: PNP to bolster security for local campaign period

The local campaign period starts on Friday, March 28.