BY: CHARLES NIKKO LIMON
As the May 2025 elections draw near, preparations by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the Philippine National Police (PNP) are intensifying in the Cordillera region.
In response to recent election-related incidents, the PNP has sent an additional 240 officers to secure polling areas in Abra.
Since May began, Abra has already recorded a rising number of election-related violent incidents.
These have spiked from just two cases in May 2024 to a total of 12 cases by the start of May 2025.
The Police Regional Office Cordillera is closely monitoring these incidents.
PBGen. David K. Peredo Jr., Regional Director of the Police Regional Office Cordillera, discussed the situation, “This is the shortage of police personnel that we’ll be deploying to the voting centers for the province of Abra.”
One of the most recent election-related incidents involved a shootout on April 21, 2025, targeting the convoy of mayoral candidate Kathlia Alcantara and a group campaigning for councilor Walter Tugade in Tayum, Abra.
Another similar incident occurred on April 30, 2025, when unidentified assailants fired on the vehicle of mayoral candidate Cristeto Cotchay from San Quintin.
While Cotchay was not in the vehicle at the time of the shooting, the attack is still under investigation. PLTCOL. Daniel Pel-ey, spokesperson for the Abra Police Provincial Office, noted, “There was only one bullet hole found in the vehicle, which was parked in his garage. The San Quintin Municipal Police Station classified the incident as malicious mischief.”
As of this week, there have been at least 20 reported shooting incidents during the election period in Abra.
To enhance the security for both candidates and voters, the Police Regional Office Cordillera has augmented its forces with 240 additional officers, who were formally sent off earlier this morning.
The send-off ceremony, led by the COMELEC and PRO-CAR, included a blessing for the officers’ safety.
Atty. Julius Torres, Regional Director of COMELEC Cordillera, expressed the importance of the mission, “It is not new to us that peace and order are critical during elections. We can make a difference by ensuring security.”
Before departing, the officers were reminded of the responsibility and the critical nature of their task.
PBGen. David K. Peredo Jr. also stressed the significance of the operation, “This is not a mere task but a duty that upholds public safety and integrity.”
Currently, three municipalities in Abra are under the “orange category” of areas of concern, while six others fall under the “yellow category.”
Despite the incidents, the situation remains manageable, and authorities are ready to reevaluate if certain towns should be placed under COMELEC control.
Atty. Julius Torres reassured the public, “On the part of the COMELEC, we need to assess the situation regularly, but there are no recommendations for further escalation at this point.”
Earlier this year, the Police Regional Office Cordillera already deployed over 100 officers in March to help secure the province in preparation for the election period.
