The Philippine National Police will deploy at least 3,200 policemen to secure the second plebiscite on the Bangsamoro Organic Law in Lanao del Norte and North Cotabato Wednesday.
PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said that they will be tasked to secure the 588 polling centers in various areas in the two provinces.
“We are ready to assume election duties anew for the Bangsamoro Organic Law plebiscite. We will be using similar operational template applied in the first plebiscite,” said Albayalde.
The PNP leadership had declared the first plebiscite for the BOL on Jan. 21 as peaceful and orderly, attributing it to the early security preparations and cooperation of local authorities.
The plebiscite was held in Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu, Maguindanao, Tawi-Tawi, Cotabato City, and Isabela
City in Basilan.
Wednesday’s plebiscite will be held in Baloi, Munai, Nunungan, Pantar, Tagoloan, and Tangkal in Lanao del Norte; and 39 barangays in Aleosan, Carmen, Kabacan, Midsayap, Pigkawayan, and Pikit in North Cotabato.
Albayalde said there will be a ceremonial send-off ceremony for the 3,200 policemen in Cagayan de Oro City Tuesday. (Aaron B. Recuenco)