Police on security alert ahead of elections

Manila: The 115,000-strong Philippine National Police (PNP) went on full alert yesterday and will remain on this highest state of operational readiness until further orders from its national headquarters.

During full alert, all leaves are cancelled and all police personnel are required to report to station to ensure maximum availability of manpower and resources.

Hostile activities

The heightened security stance will also involve police operations to secure vital installations, critical infrastructure, public utilities, and key government installations against possible hostile activities of the local communist movement and domestic threat groups, according to a statement from the PNP.

A total of 102 people, half of them politicians and candidates, have been killed since the start of the campaign for the May 14 national and local polls.

PNP Chief Director General Oscar Calderon said policemen will remain on red alert to thwart any violence that may result on election day and during counting of ballots.

The Philippines' snail-paced manual elections take a maximum of one month to declare winners of elective posts. Calderon assured police that they will receive allowance for performing election duties.

- With inputs from Cher Jimenez