Metro Manila authorities iron out security plan for Eleksyon 2019

Officials of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), and Joint Task Force (JTF) NCR convened Friday morning to iron out security measures to maintain peace in the May 2019 midterm elections.

According to Tina Panganiban-Perez on her report for GMA News TV's "Balitanghali," NCRPO chief Director Guillermo Eleazar expressed confidence that security forces are "well-coordinated" and fully capable of suppressing any election-related violence.

Although no area in Metro Manila had been classified as an "election hotspot," authorities vowed to be strict in conducting gun ban and checkpoint operations.

Motorists, especially motorcycle riders, were once again reminded to respect authorities and present the proper documents when stopping at checkpoints.

The police said they have carried out 988 checkpoint operations since the start of the election period last Sunday, wherein a total of seven people have been killed.

The police have also arrested a total 49 people and confiscated at least 27 firearms.

The police have also been carrying Oplan Katok operations, through which they remind gun owners whose licenses are nearing expiration to renew their documents.

Those with expired licenses are asked to surrender their weapons to the Philippine National Police (PNP). — Margaret Claire Layug/MDM, GMA News