Tacloban: The Philippine National Police regional office has dispatched 237 police officers to strengthen the provincial police offices in Eastern Visayas, just a week before the upcoming midterm elections.

According to Philippines News Agency, Police Regional Office – Eastern Visayas (PRO-8) Director Brig. Gen. Jay Cumigad announced the deployment from the regional headquarters and regional support units. This strategic move coincides with the final testing and sealing of over 5,600 automated counting machines scheduled for May 6 across the region.

Of the newly deployed officers, Leyte PPO will receive 104, Southern Leyte will have 40, Eastern Samar PPO will be reinforced with 50 officers, and Samar PPO will see an addition of 43 officers. Cumigad emphasized that these officers are stationed in areas with personnel shortages to ensure secure, accurate, free, and fair elections.

Additionally, 127 officers from the national headquarters and regional support units form the Regional Reactionary Standby Support Force. These officers remain on standby, ready for immediate deployment as needed throughout the region.

PRO-8 is operating under full alert status from May 3 to May 15 as part of the comprehensive preparations for the 2025 National and Local Elections. Under this status, all police leave or vacations are suspended to guarantee full-force deployment, as stated by Cumigad.

The entire force of PRO-8 is actively patrolling the streets to maintain peace and order before, during, and after the May 12 elections. The police regional chief is personally overseeing checkpoints to provide direct guidance and ensure the preparedness of the deployed police forces against any potential disruptions.