Manila: As the election campaign for national candidates starts on Tuesday, the Philippine National Police (PNP) vowed to intensify the implementation of security measures, including personnel deployment in the high-risk areas, to ensure the safety of political candidates.

According to Philippines News Agency, PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo emphasized in a press conference at Camp Crame on Monday that security coverage will be prepared for the anticipated influx of national candidates from the National Capital Region extending to Visayas and Mindanao. She noted that more PNP personnel will be deployed, particularly in 403 areas identified by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) as areas of concern.

The instructions from PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil are to maximize all available PNP personnel, said Fajardo. She highlighted that increased deployment will be prioritized in areas categorized under yellow, orange, and red, which are identified as high-risk zones.

Fajardo mentioned that PNP's provincial and regional mobile forces will be mobilized with the assistance of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine Coast Guard, the Bureau of Fire Protection, and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology. This collaboration aims to ensure the deployment of a sufficient number of PNP personnel coordinating with other uniformed and law enforcement services.

Additionally, Fajardo urged police personnel detailed at Comelec checkpoints to maintain courtesy. She stressed the importance of not delaying supporters and candidates passing through these checkpoints while appealing for respect towards the existing checkpoint procedures.

The election campaign for local candidates is scheduled to begin on March 28.