QUEZON CITY (PIA) — The filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the 2025 midterm elections was generally peaceful, the Philippine National Police said Wednesday, October 9.
In an interview at the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon aired on PTV 4, PNP spokesperson Police General Jean Fajardo said that the COC filing nationwide was generally peaceful, noting that the violent incident in Maguindanao del Sur is an isolated incident and is under investigation.
Pressed on security preparations for the 2025 polls, Fajardo said that as of Sept. 6, the PNP has listed potential areas of concern, but she declined to disclose the list subject to the validation of the joint validation of the Peace and Security Coordinating Council.
She added that the list of election areas of concern was based on the records from the two previous elections where election-related incidents were reported, particularly areas with intense political rivalry and possible employment of partisan armed groups.
Further, she said that PNP’s election security preparations began before the start of the filing of COCs, which began on October 1.
“We already deployed border control and strategic checkpoints, and we maximized police visibility near and around Comelec offices.
Also, as part of the security preparations, police forces and protective vehicles deployed for the candidates are gradually being recalled, Fajado said.
“We are closely validating the existence of local terrorist groups in areas that have history of election-related violence,” she added. (PIA DMD)
