Philippines on high alert as all systems go for election

MANILA, Could 8 (Reuters) – The Philippine police and navy stated on Sunday they had been on excessive alert as last-minute preparations continued for the nation’s basic election, at the same time as the general scenario remained “comparatively peaceable”.

Filipinos vote on Monday to decide on President Rodrigo Duterte’s successor, a vp, 12 senators, a whole bunch of congressmen and hundreds of governors, mayors and provincial and metropolis councillors.

The presidential race is a rematch between Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., the son and namesake of the nation’s late dictator, and Leni Robredo, the human rights lawyer who narrowly beat him within the 2016 vice presidential contest. learn extra

Three months of divisive campaigning ended on Saturday, with Marcos and Robredo making remaining bids to sway undecided voters with patriotic, upbeat messages. learn extra

Duterte didn’t endorse a presidential candidate, however his get together backs frontrunners Marcos and his working mate, Duterte’s daughter Sara Duterte-Carpio.

“We’re prepared for any contingencies,” Armed Forces chief Lieutenant Common Andres Centino advised a media briefing with police officer-in-charge Lieutenant Common Vicente Danao and senior election fee officers.

“We’re dedicated… to make sure that now we have a safe, correct, free and honest elections tomorrow.”

Political violence, dishonest allegations and vote-buying marred earlier elections within the Philippines. However the police stated they’ve recorded far fewer poll-related offences than within the 2016 basic election and 2019 mid-term polls.

“Hopefully we are able to keep this tranquillity as much as the final day of our electoral course of,” Danao stated.

Philippine Nationwide Police spokesperson Jean Fajardo advised one other briefing the pre-election scenario was “comparatively peaceable”, with 16 election-related offences, together with shootings in Nueva Ecija and Ilocos Sur provinces.

Voting will likely be longer than standard to accommodate COVID-19 security measures.

Guia Morris, principal at Jacinto Zamora Elementary Faculty in Manila, stated they’ve spent weeks cleansing and disinfecting the rooms the place voting will likely be performed.

“The lecturers are all ready, they usually attended orientation and seminars concerning the election,” she stated.

Reporting by Enrico Dela Cruz and Yuddy Cahya Budiman; Enhancing by Christian Schmollinger and William Mallard

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