The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Tuesday, Feb. 22, that it would assist in securing the May 9 national and local elections.
PCG Officer-In-Charge Vice Admiral Eduardo D. Fabricante said he had already directed all districts, stations, and sub-station commanders to provide assistance to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
The PCG is among the agency deputized by the Comelec.
Fabricante said they will utilize land vehicles and floating assets, including rubber boats, aluminum boats, and small watercraft, if requested by the Comelec or local government units (LGUs) for logistical purposes.
“As per the directive of Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur P. Tugade, we are ready to provide available floating assets, even Coast Guard vessels, to transport Comelec personnel, paraphernalia, and equipment to far-flung areas and coastal communities. Rest assured that the PCG will fully support the Comelec in realizing a 2022 National Elections that is safe, accurate, free, and fair," said Fabricante.
The PCG will also deploy troops for election duty, and look into the existence of any armed group organized to commit acts of terrorism. It will likewise conduct a periodic assessment of the peace and order conditions in the maritime jurisdiction of the country.
It will also perform inspections and emergency readiness evaluation on its ships and vessels, which carry persons performing election-related functions, as well as election paraphernalia, equipment, forms and supplies.
Also part of the PCG jurisdiction is the rescue operations to persons who, in the performance of election-related duties, are in distress at sea, and/or vessels in distress, which are carrying election paraphernalia, equipment, forms and supplies.
The coast guard can also suggest and recommend other measures, which may be adopted by the Comelec in the interest of free, orderly, honest, peaceful, and credible elections.
Fabricante reminded that Coast Guard personnel should refrain from engaging in any partisan political activities nationwide. According to PCG OIC, personnel must exercise neutrality and adhere to the Comelec regulations for government employees and uniformed service personnel at all times.
He warned that PCG personnel would not be spared from the investigation, regardless of their ranks and designations if there are reports and evidence of their participation in electioneering activities and political campaigns.
“PCG personnel, facilities, vehicles, and equipment must not be utilized by any local or national candidates for their campaigning, except to provide security augmentation, together with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), which is performed under the supervision of the Comelec,” Fabricante added.
“Those who will be found guilty of the said violation may face suspension, degradation, or dismissal from the service, depending on the gravity of their actuations,” he added.