CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) — As the 2025 national and local elections draw closer, the Philippine National Police Regional Office (PNP-PRO)-10 has deployed 13,414 checkpoints across northern Mindanao to ensure a secure and orderly election period. This massive operation is part of a coordinated effort with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC)-10, which has mobilized various government agencies to uphold the integrity of the electoral process.
“Police Regional Office-10 conducted threat and risk assessments for COMELEC officials to ensure their security during the 2025 election period and prevent violence targeting election officers. Out of 99 election officers in Region 10, 96 were assessed as having no threat, including the Regional Elections Director,” said PCol. Reynante Reyes, chief of the Regional Operations Division.
He added that PNP-10 has also conducted a one-day checkpoint seminar to train personnel on proper procedures for election-related checkpoints, focusing on gun bans and enforcement and coordination among agencies.
“To enhance security, our Police Regional Office implemented fragmented and overlapping checkpoints, making it difficult for individuals with illicit intentions to predict locations or times. These unpredictable, dangerous, and unlawful activities encourage stricter adherence to election laws,” Reyes said.
With the checkpoints conducted, PNP-10 confiscated 28 firearms, 25 small arms, three light weapons, and other ammunition and arrested 29 violators. They conducted the activity together with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine Coast Guard, the other local traffic management unit, the Highway Patrol Group, and the Land Transportation Office.
He also added that the crime environment in Region 10 has seen significant improvements, with a 37.31 percent drop in index crimes and a 10.34 percent reduction in non-index crimes compared to previous years. Reyes attributed these achievements to aggressive law enforcement, community engagement, and strategic interventions targeting high-risk areas such as Iligan City and Cagayan de Oro City.
COMELEC’s call for a whole-of-nation approach
Misamis Occidental Election Officer Lawyer Rowell Valledor stressed the importance of a whole-nation approach to election security. He emphasized that COMELEC directives take priority over other government orders, especially on personnel movements, to ensure fair and transparent operations.
Valledor also highlighted the role of law enforcement in maintaining peace, enforcing the gun ban, and keeping armed individuals away from polling centers. “There is an absolute prohibition within the radius of 50 meters, both state or non-state armed actors, whether you are working for the government or not, you are prohibited to be there within the 50-meter radius of the polling place,” he explained.
To curb election-related offenses, Valledor said COMELEC has partnered with the National Bureau of Investigation, the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government. These agencies will closely monitor threats, vote-buying, and misinformation campaigns.
The PNP and NBI cybersecurity units have formed a special online campaign monitoring committee to combat false election-related information. “At least there is this new committee because most of us are spending time in our home or online. And all the information that we are obtaining may not be true at all. So there is this committee that will regulate that and prosecute people who will unfairly campaign during the upcoming elections,” Valledor said.
As the May 12, 2025 elections approach, government agencies continue to work together to uphold democracy. Valledor compared this collective effort to NASA’s historic moon landing mission, emphasizing that every individual—from security forces to election officers—plays a crucial role in ensuring a free, honest, and peaceful election. (RTP/PIA-10)
