SECURING POLLS. Some of the 12,000 uniformed personnel who will secure the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections in Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor stand in formation during the send-off ceremony on Monday (Oct. 23, 2023) at the South Road Properties’ World Tent City in Cebu City. Comelec-7 Regional Director, Lawyer Lionel Castillano, received the forces as well as their resources to be deployed for safe and free BSKE in Central Visayas. (Screenshot from PRO-7 video)
CEBU CITY – About 12,000-strong mixed contingents from the police, military, and other law enforcement agencies will secure the polling places in Central Visayas (Region 7) on Oct. 30 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections, the regional election official said on Monday.
Lawyer Lionel Marco Castillano, regional director of the Commission on Elections (Comelec)-7, led the ceremony at the South Road Properties’ World Tent City sending off the security augmentation forces to Negros Oriental, Bohol, Siquijor, and Cebu.
“For and on behalf of the Comelec, the people of Region 7, and the entire Filipino nation, it is with distinct honor, privilege, and gratitude that I accept the personnel and resources to be deployed for this election,” Castillano said.
In his speech, PRO-7 chief, Brig. Gen. Anthony Aberin said the ceremony has demonstrated “our operational readiness and capabilities of our forces and resources,” committing 1,645-strong police contingents who will work alongside soldiers, fire, and Coast Guard personnel to ensure secure, accurate, free, and fair BSKE.
“I encourage each one of you to carry out the respective task with the highest level of service and determination to promote public trust and confidence in our government,” Aberin said.
In a show of resource capability, the PRO-7 turned over 10 units of 5.56 assault rifles each to the police offices of the cities of Cebu, Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu, and Cebu provincial police. The province also received a Mitsubishi Strada vehicle.
Negros Oriental police received 53 units of 5.56 rifles, 171 undershirt vests, 57 tactical vests, 57 combat helmets, a Mitsubishi Strada, and a Toyota Hilux while the Siquijor police got seven of the same rifles.
The provincial police in Bohol received a Mitsubishi Strada and 25 units of assault rifles with basic loads. (PNA)
