DEPLOYMENT. Some 1,400 soldiers deployed in Central Luzon to help secure the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) on Oct. 30, 2023. Maj. Gen. Andrew Costelo, commander of the Army’s 7th Infantry Division (7ID), said on Wednesday (Oct. 25, 2023) the troops were assigned to the region’s seven provinces to assist the Philippine National Police and the Commission of Elections in the exercise of their poll duties. (Photo courtesy of the Army's 7ID)
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – Some 1,400 soldiers have been deployed in Central Luzon to help ensure peaceful and orderly Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) on Oct. 30.
In a statement on Wednesday, Maj. Gen. Andrew Costelo, commander of the Army’s 7th Infantry Division (7ID), said the soldiers were assigned to the region’s seven provinces – Tarlac, Bataan, Zambales, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Bulacan and Aurora-- to assist the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Commission of Elections (Comelec) in the exercise of their duties before, during and after the elections.
Costelo said they were also deployed to prevent different threat groups and private armed groups from conducting extortion activities or sowing violence.
“We already provided security, available land assets, communication system and other equipment to Comelec in the implementation of election laws, rules, and regulations to ensure safe, accurate, free, and fair conduct of the elections,” he said.
Meanwhile, Costelo reminded the soldiers to be non-partisan in every aspect of the local elections to maintain the integrity of the organization.
“The troops have been reminded to be non-partisan and focus only on their mandate to support the law enforcement operations of the PNP and Comelec for free, honest, orderly, peaceful, and credible elections,” he added.
Costelo also asked the public to be vigilant at all times.
“Kung meron po kayong nakikitang mga kahina-hinalang mga gawain ng mga armadong grupo ay mangyari lamang na mag report sa awtoridad. Sa pamamagitan ng inyong kooperasyon, ating mapipigilan ang anumang nakaambang kaguluhan (If you see suspicious activities of armed groups, please report to the authorities. With your cooperation, we can prevent any impending conflict),” he said. (PNA)
