SECURITY FORCES. Over 900 police, military, firefighters, and other deputized responders are deployed in the Northern Mindanao Region to keep an orderly Oct. 30 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Election. Commission on Elections led the turnover of the deputized personnel on Monday (Oct. 23, 2023) in Cagayan de Oro City. (Photo courtesy of PRO-10)
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – More than 900 law enforcement and deputized personnel in the Northern Mindanao Region were officially deployed on Monday to preserve peace and order during the Barangay and Sangguniang Election (BSKE).
During the turnover to the Commission on Elections (Comelec), Brig. Gen Ricardo Layug Jr., acting director of Police Regional Office-Northern Mindanao (PRO-10), said the joint sendoff of security forces is a manifestation of their firm dedication to prevent any untoward incidents or manipulations during the upcoming polls.
"This is the time we show to the nation our unity and dedication in working together for a peaceful election," Layug said.
The deployed personnel come from the Regional Standby Support Force, Civil Disturbance Management, Special Action Force, Special Weapons and Tactics, and Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB), among others.
Personnel from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) also showed up with their assets to show their commitment to ensuring the security and integrity of the elections.
Among the security forces, 100 personnel from RMFB-10 will be sent to the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao to beef up police presence, especially in areas declared as "areas of concern" under Comelec control.
The remaining personnel will serve as reserve forces, prepared to be deployed across the city and provinces of Northern Mindanao.
Brig. Gen. Joel Paloma, the Army’s 4th Infantry Division deputy commander, said the Joint Task Force Diamond is ready to provide support, especially to those serving as Board of Election Inspectors, who are also public school teachers.
Lawyer Aleli Ramirez, the Comelec-10 representative, said the BSKE is more "vibrant" than midterm or national elections because the votes will shape the foundation of the government.
CDO BSKE
As this developed, the Department of Mission and Social Involvement of Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan Central Student Government has organized the "Pag-ila 2023: Kabataan, Pag-asa ng Bayan" that will be staged on October 25-26.
This activity will serve as a platform for aspirants of SK chairpersons to connect with their peers, present their campaign platforms, and engage in vital dialogues on societal issues, especially concerning the youth.
The organization has previously organized debate programs during the recent midterm and local elections. (PNA)
