GUARDIANS OF THE POLLS. Soldiers of the Army's 3rd Infantry Battalion during their arrival in Samar early this month. The Philippine Army on Friday (Feb. 25, 2022) asked its force to ensure peaceful and orderly elections to give voters a chance to participate in the upcoming May 2022 polls. (Philippine Army photo)
TACLOBAN CITY – The Philippine Army has asked its force to ensure peaceful and orderly elections by protecting and giving every voter the chance to participate in the May 2022 polls.
Maj. Gen. Edgardo De Leon, commander of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division, on Friday asked soldiers to step up their efforts to prevent violence, especially in areas where the presence of armed rebels and private armies were sighted.
“My specific instruction is to make sure that no one will be disenfranchised. All voters should exercise their rights to vote according to their individual desires,” De Leon said in a phone interview.
The official asked soldiers to arrest election gun ban violators.
In the region, poll-related incidents are more prevalent in the first district of Samar.
Just this month, three supporters of a mayoralty candidate were ambushed in Santa Margarita, Samar while a youth council official was fatally shot on Calbayog City, Samar.
Early this month, the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Battalion arrived in Eastern Visayas to serve as a maneuver unit in the region to work with the Philippine National Police in ensuring peaceful and orderly polls, especially in hot spot areas.
The new battalion, led by its commander Col. Juvenal Mark Tayamen, has its temporary headquarter in Calbayog City, Samar. (PNA)
