A total of 524 police in Cotabato City will serve as poll officers due to the intense situation there, according to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) on Monday.
According to COMELEC Commissioner George Garcia, these officials are trained and at the same time certified by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
"524 ang mga pulis na 'yan. Sila po ay mga na-train din natin at the same time DOST-certified po lahat ng mga miyembro ng Philippine National Police na 'yan," he told DZRH in an interview.
(There are 524 police there. These Philippine National Police members are trained by us and are also DOST-certified.)
A police official previously said this personnel will serve as chairman of every Electoral Board.
According to Garcia, this is a contingency plan by COMELEC in case of conflict and if teachers back out due to threats to their lives.
"Ganyan po 'yung laging ginagawa natin kaya nga po wala tayong takot kung sakaling hindi sila mag-report o isa mang miyembro ng guro ay hindi mag-report at hindi matutuloy sa mismong presinto," he added.
(We are doing that, which is why we are not afraid if they or one teacher will not report and will not push through at the precinct.)
The appointment of police as poll officers came after commotion emerged in front of the COMELEC regional office on Saturday night among supporters of election rivals for the mayoral position in the city and the COMELEC.
Despite this, Garcia said that Cotabato City is still not under COMELEC control.
"Hindi pa naman po, wala po tayong deklarasyon patungkol sa COMELEC control sa Cotabato City kaya tuloy-tuloy naman 'yung botohan sa kanila," he said.
(Not yet, we do not have a declaration of COMELEC control in Cotabato City so voting will continue there.)
