Philippine National Police and Comelec Sign Data Sharing Agreement for Upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections
QUEZON CITY – The Philippine National Police (PNP) has entered into a Data Sharing Agreement (DSA) with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) aimed at ensuring the integrity and transparency of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) scheduled for October 30.
According to a new release by the Philippines News Agency, the signing ceremony took place at Camp Crame, Quezon City on Monday. It was attended by PNP Chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr., Director for Operations Brig. Gen. Leo Francisco, and Comelec officials led by Chairperson George Garcia, Commissioner Nelson Celis, and Executive Director Teopisto Elnas Jr.
The agreement provides Comelec with access to various components of the PNP’s Election Monitoring Systems and subsystems. These include details on PNP Personnel Deployment, Surrendered Firearms, Voting Center Assistance, Election Status, Candidates, Party-lists, Voting Center, Treasurer’s Office, Unlawful Election Materials, Gun Ban Details, and Violations.
Additionally, the pact allows for the use of specific subsystems within the PNP Election Monitoring System, such as geo-tagging capabilities for monitoring vote-buying, a separate subsystem focused on vote-buying, and another for Task Force Kontra Fake News, all in line with Comelec’s specifications.
Gen. Acorda emphasized the importance of ensuring that the upcoming BSKE 2023 serves as an example of democratic practice. He urged the public to trust the electoral process, stating that measures are in place to guarantee a smooth, secure, and credible election event.
On a related note, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Director Brig. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. indicated that more than 8,000 police officers will be deployed across 735 voting centers in the region. Nartatez also assured that regular law enforcement operations will not be disrupted and that sufficient personnel will be deployed to secure other vital areas.