ILOILO City – As the May 12 midterm elections approach, the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) has escalated its security operations in Western Visayas, arresting 66 individuals for gun ban violations and placing the entire police force under full alert status starting May 3.
Under this heightened alert, PRO-6 has intensified law enforcement presence, rolled out Comelec-mandated checkpoints across cities and municipalities, and ramped up intelligence-gathering operations to thwart any election-related threats.
The crackdown has so far led to the confiscation of 66 firearms, four explosives, and three gun replicas.
Brigadier General Jack Wanky, PRO-6 regional director, said the goal is to create a secure and intimidation-free environment where every voter in Western Visayas can cast their ballot with confidence.
“We are fully committed to ensuring that the elections are not only peaceful but also free from any form of intimidation or violence,” Wanky said.
Aside from securing polling centers and election paraphernalia such as Automated Counting Machines (ACMs), police personnel are also conducting sustained operations against illegal drugs, gambling, and loose firearms in the region.
Wanky emphasized that their mandate extends beyond election duty, and that the public can expect “relentless” enforcement on all fronts.
The PRO-6 director also called on residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities, stressing that the cooperation of the public is vital to the success of the region’s election security plan.
Comelec-mandated checkpoints will remain in place until the conclusion of the election period, as authorities continue efforts to maintain peace and order before, during, and after the polls./PN
