ILOILO – The Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) is grappling with a significant personnel shortage as it prepares for the upcoming elections, according to Colonel Bayani Razalan, the IPPO Director.
Razalan explained that each polling center requires two police officers to ensure security and order, but with the creation of the Negros Island Region (NIR), the IPPO can no longer rely on additional personnel from the neighboring island. As a result, officers from Iloilo City, Capiz, and Aklan will be reassigned to fill the gap.
“In the past, most of the personnel deployed to assist the IPPO came from Bacolod and Iloilo cities,” Razalan said.
To mitigate the shortage, a dedicated team has been stationed in Ajuy and Dueñas – towns with initial security concerns – in coordination with Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) director Brigadier General Jack Wanky and Battalion Commanders. The team will focus on conducting checkpoint operations to enhance security and maintain order during the election period.
The IPPO continues to explore solutions to address the shortage and ensure a peaceful and orderly election in Iloilo.
The election period for the May 12, 2025 midterm national and local elections started on January 12 and will run until June 11.
Alongside the start of this period, the Commission on Elections (Comelec), in coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), strictly enforces a gun ban.
The gun ban prohibits individuals from carrying firearms or deadly weapons outside their residences or places of business, as well as in public spaces, unless they have written authorization from the Comelec.
This restriction applies to public areas such as buildings, streets, parks, private vehicles, and public transport.
Important Dates to Remember
* January 12 to June 11, 2025 – election period and gun ban
* February 11 to May 10, 2025 – campaign period for senatorial and party-list candidates
* March 28 to May 10, 2025 – campaign period for local candidates
* April 13 to May 12, 2025 – overseas voting
* April 28 to 30, 2025 – local absentee voting
* May 11, 2025 – liquor ban
* May 12, 2025 – election day
* June 11, 2025 – deadline for filing Statements of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE)
Strict compliance with the Comelec guidelines is expected as authorities aim to ensure a peaceful and orderly election process./PN
