The Police Regional Office in the Caraga Region (PRO-13) has deployed 596 police personnel to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to assist in ensuring the orderly conduct of the May 12 midterm elections.
The send-off ceremony was led by PRO-13 Director Brig. Gen. Christopher Abrahano and Commission on Elections Assistant Regional Director Geraldine Samson.
The PRO-13 contingent is comprised of 537 male and 59 female personnel, including nine commissioned officers. Lt. Col. Michael Lozada was appointed as ground commander of the deployment.
They will serve as members of the special electoral board in various provinces across the BARMM on election day.
“You are well-prepared for this crucial task, having undergone comprehensive training. Our primary mission is to contribute to the maintenance of an orderly and peaceful election process within the BARMM,” Abrahano said during the send-off.
He expressed appreciation for the higher headquarters’ decision to send augmentation forces to BARMM, noting that it reflects the manageable peace and order situation currently prevailing in the Caraga Region.
As of April 22, the Caraga region has identified 13 areas of concern related to the elections: six in Surigao del Sur, five in Surigao del Norte, and one each in the provinces of Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur. (PNA)