The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is monitoring the security situation in 114 cities and municipalities that were placed under the red category of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), which means that there is a grave security concern there, and those that were under total control by the poll body for the May 9 national and local polls.
"We have already deployed the forces needed for all the areas of concern that Comelec asked us to help secure and we also prepared contingency forces,” said Col. Ramon Zagala, AFP spokesperson, on Sunday, May 8.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Army (PA) showed off the assets and personnel that were deployed to perform election duties to boost the forces from the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
It includes two choppers from the Aviation Regiment; fire support vehicles, armored personnel carriers with remote control weapon system, and mounted mortar carriers from the Armor Division.
The PA have also prepared light tactical vehicles, military trucks and ambulances from the Army Support Command.
In addition, the First Scout Ranger Regiment and Special Forces Regiment (Airborne) deployed platoons to boost the contingency force. The Armor Division also sent a mechanized infantry company at the Army headquarters for additional support.
The troops and the assets were sent off in a ceremony at the Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.
Prior to this, the PA has allocated 51 organic vehicles and four air assets to assist the Comelec on its transportation requirements.