PNP to provide additional security in BARMM amid safety concerns

CNN Philippines

Aside from having to deal with security threats, the Bangsamoro Region may also face a shortage of election precinct personnel. Authorities are stepping in replacing teachers and civilian volunteers who have backed out from their poll assignments.  Senior correspondent David Santos reports.  Visit our website for more #NewsYouCanTrust: https://www.cnnphilippines.com/  Follow our social media pages:  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CNNPhilippines • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cnnphilippines/ • Twitter: https://twitter.com/cnnphilippines

Transcript

00:00 Amid increasing security concerns,

00:02 There are a total of 1,200 public school teachers that already backed out.

00:08 The Bangsamoro region facing more challenges as election workers withdraw from their duties.

00:15 Other teachers and civilian volunteers choosing to defy the odds.

00:19 Sometimes it's scary in other places, but you have to be brave.

00:23 With more poll workers likely to back out on election day, the police are taking over.

00:29 We have more than 3,200 trained PNP personnel that would act as electoral boards.

00:37 In Cotabato City,

00:39 All systems go for us, meaning we are very much ready.

00:42 This assurance in the aftermath of a shooting in Rosary Heights 12 a week ago

00:48 that killed three people including two candidates.

00:51 The local government opposing moves to place Cotabato City under Comelec control.

00:56 Rosary Heights 12 is only one of the 37 barangays of Cotabato City.

01:00 The rest of the barangays are enjoying a generally peaceful situation, condition.

01:06 So why would the whole city be affected?

01:09 Over 14,000 police and military personnel will be deployed throughout the Bangsamoro region.

01:16 Aside from the warring political clans, there's also the presence of extremist and rebel groups.

01:22 Plus, there's just too many illegal firearms.

01:25 The ones who started the riots are the ones who started the riots.

01:31 There should be no movement from one barangay to another.

01:37 These are among the classrooms here in Barira Maguindanao del Norte

01:41 that were razed to the ground by suspected arsonists.

01:44 Elections will still push through in this location with polling centers

01:48 being transferred to other classrooms unaffected by the fire.

01:52 On the eve of the elections, regional security officials making last-minute inspections,

01:57 checking on troops and the status of their preparations.

02:01 Don't be afraid. Go out and vote. We are here, ready to secure them.

02:07 Officials say one of their primary goals is to ensure that not one of the more than 2,500 barangays

02:14 in the Bangsamoro will declare a failure of elections,

02:18 even if many of these areas face delicate security environment.

02:23 From Maguindanao del Norte, David Santos, CNN Philippines.

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