TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur – In a show of unity and preparedness ahead of the 2025 National and Local Elections (NLE), security personnel from the Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), PNP Maritime Group, Special Action Force (SAF), and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) participated in a send-off ceremony on May 5 at Camp Hon. Vicente L. Pimentel Sr., Tandag City.
The event, which marked the formal deployment of uniformed personnel across the province, was attended by Atty. Rizza Ann Donalyn B. Culima-Constantino, Provincial Election Supervisor of Surigao del Sur, alongside commanding officers from the AFP, PNP, and other security units. The ceremony demonstrated strong institutional support for a coordinated effort to uphold electoral integrity and ensure public safety.
According to the Provincial Operations Management Unit (POMU), the deployment was in line with directives from the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to ensure a peaceful and orderly election. The presence of multiple security agencies reflects a comprehensive and unified approach to preventing disruptions and protecting the democratic process.
Atty. Culima-Constantino thanked the security forces for their dedication and stressed the importance of conducting election duties with impartiality, respect for human rights, and adherence to the rule of law. “Our security personnel are not only peacekeepers but also witnesses to our collective pursuit of democracy,” she said.
Provincial Director PCOL Harry B. Domingo emphasized that the collective presence of security forces “signifies not just security but also trust, impartiality, and service to the people.”
In a parallel effort to enhance election security, the Surigao del Sur Police Provincial Office (SDSPPO) has also stepped up its logistical preparations through the distribution of vital communication equipment. PCOL Domingo, together with PLT Augustine R. Jalugue, Officer-in-Charge of the Provincial Logistics Unit, led the turnover of 45 POC radios to Chiefs of Police and Force Commanders from various municipal and city police stations.
The radios are expected to boost coordination and quick response capabilities during election-related operations, reinforcing the province’s security framework as the electoral period approaches.
“This initiative underscores our commitment to operational efficiency and readiness,” said Domingo. “With reliable communication tools in place, our personnel are better equipped to safeguard the integrity of the elections.”
As Surigao del Sur gears up for the 2025 polls, the combined efforts of law enforcement and election officials reflect a shared goal: to ensure that every voter can cast their ballot in a safe, secure, and orderly environment.