CEBU CITY – The Armed Forces Visayas Command will send additional troops to Negros Oriental to strengthen its law enforcement support operations for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections on October 30.
Lt. Gen. Benedict Arevalo, commander of Viscom, said that while peace and order in Negro Oriental is under control, they are taking steps to ensure that the elections in the province will be peaceful.

THE Armed Forces Visayas Command will deploy more troops in Negros Oriental to safeguard the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections on October 30. (Viscom)
“Peace and order situation in Negros Oriental remains very much under control. However, we don’t want to take any chances. This is to ensure the safety and security of our people, as they exercise their rights and cast their votes in the upcoming barangay and SK elections,” Arevalo said in a statement.
Four platoons or over 120 personnel will reinforce Armed of Forces of the Philippines personnel currently deployed in the province.
The deployment of additional troops is in line with the pronouncement of Lionel Marco Castillano, Commission on Elections-Central Visayas director, that AFP and Philippine National Police personnel will be deployed to the 549 clustered voting centers in Negros Oriental.
Negros Oriental has nine barangays under the Comelec watchlist areas, eight of which are under the category areas of immediate concern due to the reported presence of communist rebels. One barangay was categorized as area of concern due to intense political rivalry.
“We will adhere to the directive of the Comelec pertaining to the security deployment in Negros Oriental since the entire province is under their control for the duration of the election period. The additional troops will provide us with flexibility as we secure not only the voting centers but also the entire province and ensure a safe, peaceful, and orderly election,” Arevalo said.