Aklan PNP vows to work for honest, credible elections
BY VENUS G. VILLANUEVA

KALIBO, Aklan - Newly installed Provincial Director Benigno Durana Jr of the Aklan Police Provincial Office (APPO) here said that Philippine National Police (PNP)-Aklan is all for the conduct of an honest, peaceful and credible elections.
Durana said his office is closely coordinating with the Commission on Elections here and has already attended two command conferences with the election officers, and is set to attend an area conference in Cebu City next week for the May 2007 political exercise.
As the apprehending arm of the Commission on Elections on gun ban, Durana said the PNP has already arrested one violator in Boracay Island and had already filed a case against the person.
“We are also strengthening and conducting our checkpoints activities in the province now,” Durana said.
As to measures to prevent the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) from collecting fees from candidates during the campaign period, Durana said the PNP is closely monitoring far-flung municipalities for these possibilities, but he admitted that evidences and witnesses are needed so the PNP can act, even as he said that paying campaign fees to the CPP-NPA is an offense and a ground for disqualification on the part of the candidate.
As to the poll summit proposed by the government which will be held after the last day of filing of certificates of candidacies, Durana said what they might take up in the Cebu conference could also be used during the poll summit.
Prior to Durana’s assignment to Aklan, he was the chief of the Change Management Advocacy Unit of the Program Management Office of the PNP Chief.