THE ARMED Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is on high alert today in support of the Philippine National Police to ensure safe and secure national and local elections.
Also, AFP chief of staff Gen. Andres Centino reminded soldiers to remain non-partisan and maintain professionalism while performing election duties in support of the Comelec and the police.
In his message to troops, Centino reminded members of the AFP that they are bound by their sworn duty to protect the sanctity of the people’s right to suffrage.
“Our constitution mandates us to remain non-partisan and neutral, thus we must perform our task to secure with utmost integrity, impartiality, and professionalism,” he said.
More than 45,000 composite members of the Army, Air Force, and Navy were deployed all over the country to perform election duties as deputized by the Commission on Elections.
Centino also assured the Filipino people that the military organization is on red alert to guarantee safe, accurate, free, and peaceful national and local elections. In the same manner, soldiers are always available to accommodate citizens who seek assistance during the election period.
“Let us all help each other to achieve peaceful and orderly elections, towards the shared dream of continuous progress and development for our country,” Centino said.
The Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) officially deployed its contingent for the elections during the send-off ceremony held at its headquarters on May 4.
BGen. Potenciano C. Camba, the deputy commander of EastMinCom, was designated as commander of the said security task force (STFs).
His task is to supervise all election STFs in implementing election laws and regulations to ensure Secure, Accurate, Free, and Fair Elections (SAFE), in close coordination with the PNP and Comelec.
Simultaneously, EastMinCom has also activated its Election Duty Company (EMC EDCoy), which consists of three platoons with 86 officers and enlisted personnel from EastMinCom headquarters, Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao, and Tactical Operations Wing Eastern Mindanao.
On the same day, the 4th and 10th Infantry Divisions sent off their respective STFs composed of regular and reserved personnel to be deployed in their areas of responsibility. They will complement other government agencies deputized in the election duty, such as the PNP, Philippine Coast Guard, and Department of Education.
EastMinCom chief, Lt. Gen. Greg Almerol, said that the troops will perform their mandate to prevent the plans of any threat groups that may disrupt the electoral proceedings and urged the public to support the security forces by reporting any suspicious activities.
“Rest assured that we will fully perform our mandate to ensure that no disruption will occur as our citizens exercise their democratic rights. While doing so, we also encourage the public to be vigilant and report any activity that may disrupt the upcoming polls so that we can immediately respond,” he said.
“While we are securing the people to exercise their right to suffrage, we also commit to uphold our political neutrality in the performance of our mandate. Rest assured that no AFP personnel will involve in partisan politics as our loyalty is on our constitution and not on any political figure,” he expressed.
He also warned those who will undermine the electoral process will pay the price for their criminal acts.
“We will not hesitate to enforce the full force of law in accordance with the Comelec guidelines, especially those who will sabotage the elections through intimation and harassment. EMC will uphold the conduct of a fair and credible election. Those who will cheat and undermine the electoral process will surely pay with their lives, I assure the people in my Joint Operational Area, ” the EastMinCom commander emphasized.
