Manila, May 19 -- Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil on Monday directed all police units across the country to fast-track investigations on validated election-related incidents (ERIs).

"This is a direct order from the President (Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.). We must not allow violence and intimidation to tarnish the democratic process. The PNP will act with speed, precision and transparency to resolve all pending cases," Marbil said in a statement.

The PNP has recorded 97 validated ERIs as of posting time.

He directed all regional directors and provincial directors to submit progress reports on ERIs and ensure that all perpetrators are held accountable.

"We owe it to the public to pursue these cases with t...