OZAMIZ CITY – The police in Ozamiz City, Misamis Occidental, are preparing for the implementation of security measures for the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections in October this year.
Authorities assure that the election will be conducted smoothly without any disturbances.
According to Police Major Dennis Tano, the Chief of Ozamiz City Police Station, they already have a security plan in place for the Barangay and SK elections.
“We have reactivated the Joint Police Security Coordinating Committee together with COMELEC, Coast Guard, so we have a security plan specifically for the Barangay and SK elections. The police have carefully dropped our security plan for the upcoming election,” said Tano.
Out of the 51 barangays in Ozamiz City, three have been recommended for approval as hot spots during the election period.
This is based on the previous incidents of violence during national and local elections.
“Here in Ozamiz, we only have three barangays recommended for subject approval as hot spots. These are Barangay Labo, Bañadero, and Triunfo. This is based on election-related incidents and certain parameters that have been identified as areas with past election-related conflicts. It’s not yet considered officially approved, but it is what we recommend as hot spots,” explained Tano.
The authorities are expected to strengthen the monitoring of these areas considered as hot spots in the city to prevent possible conflicts during the upcoming 2023 Barangay and SK elections.
The Ozamiz City PNP hopes for continued cooperation, coordination, and trust from the people to ensure the safety of everyone against any form of violence during the election period.
