THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) said that more than 250,000
police and military personnel will be deployed nationwide to ensure a
peaceful conduct of the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections
(BSKE) on October 30.
Over at the Camp Vicente P Lim in Calamba City in Laguna, a multi-agency group turned over to the Comelec security forces and equipment to help maintain peace and order during the BSKE polls.
Comelec chairman George Garcia said the PNP will deploy over 187,000
policemen during the BSKE, while the AFP will field more than 117,000
soldiers, plus 30,000 Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel.
Garcia, who expressed gratitude to the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police, the Philippine Coast Guard, and the Department of Education for their full support to the national government, said this is the first time that the military would deploy soldiers to the voting centers.
Garcia clarified however, that the peacekeeping force deployment will not be based solely on the color category of an area, saying barangays have been categorized as green, yellow, orange, and red, depending on the situation in the area.
Green means the area is generally peaceful, while red denotes problems such as the presence of private army or terrorist groups, and intense political rivalry.
“The deployment is based on the operation plan of the police and military. Priority of course is the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in
Muslim Mindanao where there are a lot of red areas,” he said.
The Comelec prefers to have one policeman and one soldier stationed 50
meters away from every polling place.
As part of measures to secure the BSKE, a liquor ban will be
implemented across the country on October 29 and 30, reminding the
public of election rules and other prohibited acts, he said.
The Comelec will issue a resolution on the imposition of the
ban against selling, furnishing, offering, buying, serving, or
taking intoxicating liquor during the identified period.
Representatives from various government agencies, law enforcement
bodies, and stakeholders gathered to take part in the turnover
ceremony, underscoring the “collaborative effort to conduct a secure,
credible, and transparent electoral process.”
Exactly 9, 480 policemen from the Region 4-A police office will be deployed to the polling centers and Comelec facilities during the political exercise.
The group will be divided into Convoy, Quick Reaction Team/
Special Weapons and Tactics, Route Security, Reactionary Standby
Support Force, and will man COMELEC Checkpoints throughout the region.
Additionally, a total of 1, 722 augmented personnel from other
agencies will also be deployed including the Armed Forces of the
Philippine, Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau
of Jail Management and Penology, Municipal and Provincial Disaster
Risk Reduction Management Office, and the Public Order and Safety
Office.
Meanwhile, deployable resources include vehicles, handheld radios and
mobile phones, Body Worn Camera, and Civil Disturbance Management
Equipment.
Keynote speakers, including prominent government officials and COMELEC
representatives, delivered inspiring speeches emphasizing the
importance of a fair and peaceful election.
CALABARZON police regional director Brig. Gen. Paul Kenneth Lucas expressed
gratitude to everyone for the unrelenting support and cooperation.
“Today, we come together as one, unified by our commitment in
safeguarding our democratic traditions. The 2023 Barangay and
Sangguniang Kabataan Elections are a vital aspect of our nation’s
democratic tapestry. We pledge to ensure that in CALABARZON, the
elections will be free from violence, fraud, and manipulation,” he
said.
The event was highlighted with the symbolic turnover of security
forces and resources to COMELEC 4A accepted by regional election
officer, Monalisa Mamukid.