The Philippine National Police has been on the line to ensure that the elections in the country are conducted in a peaceful, orderly, and credible manner. As the nation prepares for the upcoming 2025 mid-term elections, PNP’s efforts are essential in preventing election-related violence, maintaining law and order, and upholding the integrity of the electoral process. Given the multiple risk factors including intense political rivalries, criminal gang exploitation, fake news and misinformation, vote-buying and vote-selling, and other electoral offenses, the PNP’s crucial role in securing the elections will directly impact on public trust in the exercise of democracy.
PNP, in its commitment to ensuring peaceful, orderly, and credible elections on May 12, 2025, had officially launched the 100 Days Operational Activities and Solidarity Pact Signing for the 2025 National and Local Elections (NLE) and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Parliamentary Elections (BARMM PE) on February 5, 2025 at Camp Rafael T Crame in Quezon City. This proactive measure is part of the organization’s broader efforts to strengthen public confidence and deter individuals or groups from engaging in election-related crimes.
The event was attended by highly anticipated law enforcement agencies, electoral bodies, and various stakeholders to include representatives from COMELEC, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the Department of Education (DepEd), PNP, faith-based group leaders, and PNP-accredited NGOs. The agreement made during the Reading and Signing of the Solidarity Pact symbolizes a shared accountability in upholding electoral integrity and ensuring a secure democratic process.
Prior to the main event, a blessing ceremony was held for the PNP’s newly procured vehicles, a clear expression of the organization’s continuous efforts to strengthen its logistical capabilities in the preparations for the upcoming elections. PLtGen Robert T. Rodriguez, Officer-in-Charge of the Office of the Deputy Chief for Operations and Commander of the PNP Special Task Force (STF) for the 2025 Elections, had welcomed the event attendees with his remarks, emphasizing the importance of proactive measures in securing the polls. He requested the audience to focus their attention on the major highlight of the event – an audio-visual presentation on the 100 Days Operational Activities which had detailed the PNP’s strategic plans to prevent election-related violence and promote a secure voting environment. This was followed by the presentation of the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group’s initiatives to combat fake news and misinformation, recognizing in the process of the increasing influence of digital disinformation in elections.
Succeeding the presentations was a statement from Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Chairperson Atty. George Erwin M. Garcia, represented by COMELEC Spokesperson Atty. John Rey C. Laudiangco, as the Guest of Honor and Speaker who had graced the momentous occasion, explaining what’s new and true in the 2025 National and Local Elections and Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections. Atty. Laudiangco also had led a demonstration on the proper casting of votes, reinforcing the importance of voter education and awareness in preventing electoral fraud, thus, underscoring the principle of “shared accountability” for fair elections. He highlighted key messages – the call for Awareness, Unity, Truth and Justice, saying, “Sa COMELEC, mayroon kaming tatlong prinsipyong sinusunod—Katotohanan, Katapatan, at Katarungan. Ang halalan ay hindi lang responsibilidad ng iilan, kundi tungkulin nating lahat na siguruhin ang isang ligtas, maayos, at makatarungan na eleksyon.”
Of the 44,299 candidates for the upcoming elections, 18,320 can only make it to the elective positions. Nonetheless, COMELEC also had guaranteed a fair electoral process given the even made easier and more convenient Automated Counting Machine (ACM) compared from the machines used in previous elections. COMELEC has also made a trouble-free voting process for Senior Citizens, Persons with Disability, and pregnant women vote as early as 5:00 o’clock in the morning, occupying the Accessible Polling Place (APP) and Priority Polling Place (PPP) primarily designed for them. Regular voters can conveniently cast their votes in selected malls and/or precincts, while overseas voters can access the internet in 76 identified embassies and consulates abroad.
Meanwhile, the event also had featured messages of support from representatives of AFP, PCG, DepEd, and PNP – all reinforcing their commitment to working together to ensure a secure electoral process. This solidarity pledge was supported and simultaneously conducted in all Police Regional Offices (PROs). To mention a few, in Cagayan De Oro City, Police Regional Office 10 (PRO-10) was joined by the Commission on Elections in Northern Mindanao (Comelec-10) with other stakeholders pooling resources to ensure the peaceful conduct of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliamentary elections. In Legazpi City, The Commission on Elections in Bicol (Comelec-5), along with other national government agencies, had pledged to ensure safe and secure national and local elections in May during a solidarity pact signing at Camp Simeon Ola. Similar activity was held at the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO 6) in Western Visayas Multi-purpose Hall; in Camp Col. Romeo Abendan in Zamboanga City by Police Regional Office 9 (PRO 9); and Camp BGen Salipada K. Pendatun, Parang by Police Regional Office Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO BAR).
In his message of support, PNP Chief PGen Rommel Francisco D. Marbil stressed the urgency of preparing for the elections within the next 100 days. He raised critical concerns, stating: “Bakit tuwing eleksyon, paulit-ulit ang nangyayari? Nagagamit ang guns, nagagamit ang gold and goons—and now, fake news.” He emphasized that while the traditional threats of guns, goons, and gold or the 3Gs remain, fake news has become a formidable challenge capable of influencing public perception and undermining democracy, intensifying its campaign against loose firearms, private armed groups (PAGs), vote-buying, and cybercrime to safeguard the elections. “Andito kami—ang PNP, COMELEC, AFP, at PCG—for accountability. In 100 days, we want a safe election. But this is not just our responsibility; it is a shared accountability,” PGen Marbil added.
Instead of highlighting the administration’s mantra, the PNP Chief had declared his vision for a safe and secured election. He had posed a strong statement reinforcing the shared responsibility among law enforcement agencies, electoral bodies, stakeholders, and the general public. His declaration: “Sa Bagong Pilipinas, ang gusto nating lahat ay safe ka.“
Counting the days before the elections, the PNP stands firm in its mission to prevent and respond to election related threats with position and efficiency for a safe and credible 2025 mid-term elections.
