The Philippine National Police (PNP), with its core mandate to maintain peace and order, had been strengthening its proactive efforts to ensure an orderly and safe 2025 National and Local Elections (NLE).
From the simultaneous launching of the 100 Days Operational Activities and Solidarity Pact Signing to the activation of full-alert status, PNP did not waste a single day to secure a peaceful midterm election.
With four days remaining before the May 12, 2025 elections, PNP Chief, Police General Rommel Francisco D. Marbil personally conducted a series of visits to various Police Regional Offices (PROs) to check their readiness for the NLE.
On May 8, PGen Marbil visited Police Regional Office 4A (CALABARZON) and Police Regional Office 5 (Bicol Region). In the morning, he conducted an inspection of PRO 4A’s personnel and its facilities at Camp BGen Vicente P. Lim in Calamba City, Laguna, including the Regional Command Center (RCC) to make sure that its security equipment such as CCTV footages, body-worn cameras, and drones were fully operational to monitor various precincts, especially in densely populated areas. PRO 4A had already created a Special Task Group to respond to any incident on the polling day, followed by the launching of IMPLAN TAGAPAG-BUKLOD–a post-election initiative aimed at reducing tension between the winning and losing political candidates.
In the afternoon, the PNP Chief proceeded to PRO 5’s regional headquarters at Camp BGen Simeon A Ola in Legaspi City, where detailed security planning for a safe, orderly, and honest election process was presented. PGen Marbil praised PRO 5’s proactive initiatives, particularly in identifying areas of concern, strengthening police presence, and collaborating with local government and other partner agencies.
The following day, PROs 8 and 7 were the next stops of PGen Marbil. In PRO 8, he led in the blessing and inauguration of the expanded Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel and the new Grandstand. In PRO 7, he chaired a command conference focused on operational readiness and security coordination. PRO 7 also presented a detailed report of their accomplishments from January to April 30, 2025, highlighting significant achievements in crime prevention, law enforcement, and community engagement.
On the same day, he visited Camp Col Rafael C. Rodriguez in Butuan City, commending PRO 13’s prompt preparations for the election, including the distribution of Push-to-Talk Over Cellular (POC) radios and the development of the A.G.A.P. Caraga mobile application—an innovative digital platform that stands for Alerto, Giya, Andam, Paglikay. This location-based technology was launched on May 5.
After his purposive visit to Caraga, he went to PRO 9 in Zamboanga Peninsula and PRO-BAR (Bangsamoro Autonomous Region) in Maguindanao del Norte on May 10, where he reviewed deployment strategies aimed at ensuring zero election-related incidents. He also led in the blessing of the newly renovated Aviation Security Group (AVSEGROUP) building in Kampo Siongco.
A day before the Election Day, PGen Marbil visited the Quezon City Police District (QCPD), where he was accompanied by Police Lieutenant General Robert T. Rodriguez, Deputy Chief PNP for Operations; and Police Major General Anthony A. Aberin, Regional Director of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO). Together, they checked the operational status and situational updates at the District Election Monitoring Action Center (DEMAC) to ensure rapid response mechanisms were in place for any election-related concerns. After his visit to QCPD, the PNP Top Cop proceeded to the Manila Police District (MPD) for a similar inspection. He commended the proactive coordination and high state of preparedness of the police office.
During his visits to various PROs and districts, PGen Marbil consistently took time to engage in dialogues with police officers on the frontline, encouraging open communication to address challenges at the ground level, urging them to stay true to their sworn duties, act with integrity, and obey only just orders. He also emphasized the importance of fairness and honesty in preserving the integrity of the elections.
“Hindi lamang seguridad ang ating tungkulin, kundi ang pagprotekta sa demokrasya. Kailangang marinig ang tinig ng bayan nang walang takot o karahasan,” PGen Marbil said.
Before the day ended, PGen Marbil, together with PLtGen Rodriguez, visited the headquarters of the People’s Television Network (PTV). He met with Presidential Communications Secretary Jay Ruiz and appeared as a guest on the PTV4’s Hatol ng Bayan segment. During the interview, he assured the public of a safe and orderly election, supported by the full-alert status and nationwide deployment of the entire police force.
On the Election Day, PNP maintained the highest level of professionalism and discipline, ensuring a generally peaceful 2025 NLE as no major incidents were reported nationwide.
“Ang tagumpay na ito ay hindi lamang tungkol sa pagpapanatili ng kapayapaan ngayong araw — ito ay tungkol sa pagtatanggol sa karapatan ng bawat Pilipino na pumili ng kanilang mga lider nang malaya at walang takot. Mananatili tayong alerto hanggang sa ang huling boto ay mabilang at ang tunay na kalooban ng mamamayan ay ganap na igalang,” PGen Marbil said.
In close coordination with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and other partner agencies, PNP successfully carried out its mandate to guard and protect the voice of the people. According to COMELEC data, more than 55 Million Filipinos or about 81.65% of the total 68,431,965 registered voters cast their votes in the 2025 NLE, marking the highest voter turnout in the country’s midterm elections history. This turnout was largely attributed to the participation of the youth, who make up the majority of voters.
There were minor technical and logistical issues reported such as the breakdowns of the Automated Counting Machines (ACMs), delays in the opening of the precincts, and difficulties in locating voter names on the list. However, these were promptly addressed by concerned personnel and did not pose any security threats or disrupt the smooth conduct of the election process. PNP also responded to several reports of liquor ban violations and alleged vote buying.
The number of validated Election-Related Incidents (ERIs) significantly dropped from 105 during the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) to only 46 in this year’s elections–a 56 % decreased. This decrease is a clear proof of PNP’s intensified vigilance, especially in regions considered to be areas of concern. The Cordillera Administrative Region recorded the highest number of ERIs with 13, followed by BARMM (8), and Region 4A (5).
From the campaign period to Election Day and post-election duties, all PNP units strictly adhered to the Constitution’s mandate on non-partisanship, avoiding any hint of political bias or participation in any partisan activities. This directive was strictly enforced through the Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG) and the Internal Affairs Service (IAS).
“I am happy to announce to the entire country that our PNP personnel remained faithful to their sworn duty and my directive to remain apolitical. No one was involved in any political activity. They performed their duty with honor, professionalism, and fairness. This is a clear proof that PNP is a matured institution that can play its role in democracy impartially,” PGen Marbil said.
On May 19, during the Monday Flag Raising Ceremony held at Camp BGen Rafael T. Crame in Quezon City, PGen Marbil lauded all police units and support forces for their commitment and dedication in fulfilling their duties to maintain peace and order, especially during the election. He expressed his gratitude to the men and women of the police force, partner agencies, and the public for their cooperation, which contributed to the generally peaceful 2025 electoral process, stating: “Nandito po ako para magpasalamat po sa inyo sa lahat ng ginawa natin ngayong election na ito…Sa lahat po ng pulis natin, lahat po ng tumulong sa atin from AFP, Coast Guard, [at iba pa]. Maraming maraming salamat po.”
