In a robust effort to maintain order as the election period commenced, the Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Office, under the leadership of Col. Ferdinand Germino, conducted thorough checkpoint operations across Cabanatuan City on Sunday, January 12, 2025. The operations resulted in the confiscation of seven firearms, numerous rounds of ammunition, and 1.29 grams of shabu, leading to the apprehension of eight suspects.
The checkpoints were strategically placed in critical locations, including along the Maharlika Highway in Barangay San Juan Accfa and Barangay Sumacab Este. Additional checkpoints in the towns of San Leonardo, Gapan, Jaen, Quezon, and Talavera also contributed to further arrests and seizures, although specific details from these areas are yet to be fully disclosed.
The operations were a collaborative effort involving the Provincial Police Office, the Tactical Motorcycle Reaction Unit, and the Cabanatuan City Police, with support from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, specifically the 84th Infantry Battalion and the 7th Infantry Division. The Commission on Elections officials and additional force multipliers played a crucial role in these efforts.
Col. Germino, emphasizing the importance of strict adherence to protocols, visited officers in Barangay Rizal, Sta. Rosa, Nueva Ecija, to uplift their spirits. He reiterated the police’s dedication to ensuring peace, order, and the rule of law during the election period, stating, ‘Our commitment is to uphold peace, order, and the rule of law throughout the election period.’