• CHERYL G. CRUZ
Police in Negros Island Region shifted its focus to disaster response following the eruption of Mount Kanlaon more than seven hours after the casting of votes in the May 12 midterm elections ended.
P/Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay, PRO-NIR director, initiated the shift from election security operations to disaster response mode in all areas directly affected by the volcanic activity.
“Our personnel on the ground are instructed to immediately coordinate with their respective Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (LDRRMCs) to support evacuation, relief, and security operations as necessary,” Ibay said in a statement May 13.
“While we continue to ensure the safe conclusion of the 2025 National and Local Elections in the rest of the region, our priority now includes protecting lives and supporting affected communities in this time of emergency,” he added.
Ibay said the PRO-NIR is ready to augment resources and personnel in affected areas to maintain order, provide humanitarian support, and assist in disaster response efforts. “Our specialized units, including search and rescue teams and medical responders, are on standby for rapid deployment.”
He also urged the public to remain calm, follow advisories from local authorities and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, and cooperate with evacuation and safety procedures where required. “Let us continue to uphold the spirit of unity and service as we face this natural calamity together.”
P/Col. Ronan Claravall, Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO) director, meanwhile, declared the elections in the province “successful and generally peaceful”.
He thanked NegOrenses for their cooperation during the elections. “Moving forward, we will continue to ensure the safety of our citizens and work towards a safer, more peaceful province.”
Ibay said May 12 that the security coverage for the elections in NIR was “generally peaceful, except for an isolated shooting incident in Silay City, Negros Occidental, which is currently under investigation by authorities.”
Despite this unfortunate event, the overall conduct of the elections across the region remained calm and orderly. Voters were able to freely and safely exercise their right to vote in all areas of Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor, demonstrating the strength of our democratic process,” he stressed.
He commend the security forces, election officials, volunteers, and NIR residents “for their active participation and commitment to a peaceful and credible electoral process.” | CGC
