Cebu City police ramp up security preps for May 12 polls

Local

WITH the distribution of election paraphernalia already underway, police authorities in Cebu have ramped up security measures to ensure safe and peaceful elections on May 12.

Lt. Col. Maria Theresa Macatangay, Deputy City Director for Operations of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), said on Monday, May 5, they are deploying no fewer than 1,500 police personnel across the city starting May 6.

The deployment will continue until the proclamation of winning candidates.

“Starting tomorrow, from the distribution of election paraphernalia and Automated Counting Machines (ACMs), to the distribution of ballots until the proclamation of winners, we will maintain a minimum of 1,500 police officers deployed in various areas in Cebu City. We are prioritizing polling centers, but at the same time, we will not neglect our anti-criminality operations,” Macatangay said.

Macatangay added that while there is no formal proclamation yet placing Cebu City under heightened alert, the CCPO has already raised its own alert level in anticipation of election-related activities.

“Here in Cebu City, even if there is no proclamation from the headquarters, we have already heightened our alert level at the CCPO because the distribution of election paraphernalia has started. We don’t want this to mix with any issues that may cause unnecessary alarm to our voters. Election day is fast approaching,” she added.

Macatangay assured the public that the CCPO is “100 percent ready” in terms of security deployment.

Earlier this week, Col. Jovito Atanacio, acting director of the Cebu Police Provincial Office (CPPO), also confirmed that 2,900 police officers will be deployed across the province’s cities and municipalities to ensure order and prevent violence during the midterm elections.

Atanacio made the announcement during a covenant signing ceremony laast March 26, where stakeholders vowed to uphold peace and integrity during the election period.

These officers will be stationed at polling precincts and voting centers throughout Cebu on election day.

According to Atanacio, security planning began as early as December 2024, and the deployment blueprint is now fully finalized.

Cebu province currently remains under the green category, indicating a generally peaceful status, but police continue to implement strict monitoring to anticipate any threat.

Atanacio also clarified that no private armed groups (PAGs) have been detected in Cebu that could disrupt the elections. However, surveillance and intelligence operations remain continuous and aggressive.

“Wala gyud mi niundang ug naglimit sa atong report. Recorded nga wala kitay ginatawag nga potential PAGs. But hindi kami naglimit niana. Kami sige gihapon tan-aw sa kasiguraduhan or sa ating peace and order atsaka public safety sa tibuok probinsya sa Sugbo,” Atanacio said.

He also called on the public to remain vigilant and report any incidents of vote-buying, intimidation, or disinformation that could undermine the integrity of the electoral process.

The midterm elections on May 12 will cover both local and national positions, with thousands of Cebuano voters expected to head to the polls.(TGP)