ISULAN, Sultan Kudarat (PIA) — More than 1,600 police personnel will be deployed across Sultan Kudarat province to help secure voting precincts during the midterm elections on May 12, 2025.
Police Col. Bernard Lao, the provincial director of the Sultan Kudarat Police Provincial Office (SKPPO), announced that the province’s current police force of 1,290 personnel will be supplemented by an additional 300 to 400 officers.
The augmentation force includes police from the Provincial Headquarters, Regional Headquarters, and national support units of the Philippine National Police.
“A minimum of two police personnel will be assigned to each precinct. They will be supported by quick reaction teams stationed in key areas around the province,” Lao said during a send-off ceremony held on May 6 for the augmented personnel as they prepared for deployment to various municipalities.
The event also served as a reminder of their duty to ensure peaceful and orderly elections.
Addressing the police personnel, Lao underscored their responsibility in maintaining peace and order.
“Go out there and make a difference,” he said. “I urge you to remain vigilant, professional, and impartial,” he said.
Lao also reminded the police officers to carry out their duties with integrity, stressing the importance of professionalism and public trust.
“Your actions will be under scrutiny, and it’s essential to maintain the highest standards of integrity and conduct. Remember that you are not just enforcing the law; you are also ambassadors of our organization. Your behavior and actions will reflect not only on yourselves but also on the entire Sultan Kudarat Police Provincial Office,” Lao emphasized.
The official stated that additional police personnel will be assigned to election areas of concern, specifically in the municipalities of Palimbang and Kalamansig.
Lao noted that the SKPPO is working closely with the Commission on Elections and other agencies to ensure the safe and credible conduct of elections in the province. (ORVR, PIA Region 12)
