The Philippine National Police (PNP), led by Chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil, has pledged to implement comprehensive security measures to ensure the upcoming midterm elections are conducted peacefully and credibly. This commitment was reiterated during the Manila Overseas Press Club’s event titled ‘The Game Changer: Peace and Order and May 2025 Elections’ in Makati City. Alongside Marbil, Commission on Elections (Comelec) chair George Erwin Garcia also spoke at the event, emphasizing the collaborative efforts needed for a successful electoral process.
Marbil detailed the PNP’s strategies to maintain peace, tackle illegal drugs, and bolster cybersecurity in preparation for the elections. He highlighted the evolution of election security, noting that while traditional threats like ‘guns, goons, and gold’ persist, new challenges such as fake news and cybercrime are increasingly significant. The PNP is intensifying efforts to curb the spread of illegal firearms and neutralize private armed groups (PAGs) to ensure fair elections.
Vote-buying and other forms of electoral corruption remain significant issues, necessitating a strong partnership between law enforcement and Comelec to protect the integrity of the voting process. Marbil also stressed the importance of combating misinformation and enhancing cybersecurity to prevent disruptions to the democratic process.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has pledged to support the PNP in securing polling stations and addressing the threat posed by PAGs. AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. emphasized their role in ensuring the safety of polling centers and assisting in the elimination of private armed groups. A ‘Solidarity Pact’ was signed by representatives from the PNP, AFP, and Comelec at Camp Crame in Quezon City, committing to a clean, peaceful, and orderly 2025 midterm election and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliamentary elections.