BY RUBY SILUBRICO
ILOILO City – The Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) is fully prepared to secure all Commission on Elections (Comelec) offices across Western Visayas as the filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the May 2025 midterm elections begins on October 1.
PRO-6 spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Arnel Solis confirmed that hundreds of police personnel are ready to be deployed to ensure the safety and security of both Comelec offices and aspiring candidates during the filing period.
“Our regional director, Brigadier General Jack Wanky, has already issued directives to our city and provincial directors for the first day of COC filing,” said Solis.
In Iloilo City, the local police force has intensified its preparations to maintain peace and order throughout the electoral period. Police Colonel Kim Legada, head of the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO), emphasized proactive measures to prevent election-related incidents and ensure a smooth filing process.
The ICPO is set to deploy additional personnel in key areas and has coordinated closely with the city government, Comelec, and other stakeholders to bolster security efforts.
To avoid overcrowding, the number of companions each candidate may bring to the filing venue will be limited by Comelec.
In compliance with Resolution No. 11045, candidates running for national and local positions will be allowed a maximum of three companions only.
“We are fully committed to safeguarding the integrity of the election process,” said Legada. “Through strengthened security measures and active community cooperation, we aim to prevent any form of violence or intimidation.”
According to Comelec Region 6 director Dennis Ausan, Comelec offices will be open daily from October 1 to October 8, including weekends, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“We are fully prepared to accommodate the candidates. In some cases, where offices are too small to handle the expected volume of candidates, we have already approved the transfer of filing venues to larger spaces,” he said.
Comelec expects a surge in the number of candidates filing on the first and last days of the COC filing period./PN
