There is a strong possibility that around 100 policemen in Central Visayas will be deployed in Mindanao to serve as members of the Electoral Board.

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) 7 has provided a two-day training to the cops beginning on Thursday, March 27, 2025.

COMELEC 7 Director, Atty. Francisco Pobe, Jr. said that the trained policemen will take over election duties in Mindanao areas where threats to peace and order are apparent. 

As of this writing, the cops are being trained to operate Automated Counting Machines (ACMs).

Pobe disclosed that the trained policemen will be assigned likely in Maguindanao.

Further, COMELEC 7 has condemned strongly the slay of Atty. Maceda Lidasan Abo, election officer of the Municipality of Datu Odin Sinsuat, Province of Maguindanao del Norte.

The election officer, along with her husband, were shot dead in an ambush past 8 a.m. on March 26, 2025 on her way to work.

The couple was rushed to the hospital.

Abo’s husband was declared dead on arrival, while she died hours after.

Pobe said he condemns strongly the slay, citing that the savage act is highly unacceptable in a democratic society.

He pointed out that COMELEC personnel are out to perform their tasks, but are not the “main actors” in elections.

"Amo ning hugot nga gikondenar ning mga walay taras, dili maayong binuhatan sa atong isig ka ingon. Atong hunahunaon nga ang gibuhat sa COMELEC nagpahigayon ra mi sa piniliay, dili kami ang mga main actor ani. Kami ra ang nag-facilitate sa among trabaho," Pobe underscored. 

In an initial assessment of COMELEC and the Philippine National Police (PNP), Central Visayas is relatively peaceful, except for a few places in the Provinces of Bohol and Negros Oriental being monitored.