BACOLOD CITY – The 3rd Infantry Division is mobilizing 2,524 troops to augment police securing the May 12 elections in Negros Island.
Col. Erwin Rommel Lamzon, 3rd ID spokesperson, said that 1,487 soldiers from the 302nd Infantry Brigade based in Negros Oriental and around 1,037 under the 303rd IBde based in Negros Occidental will serve as election security.
He added that the deployment beginning Tuesday, May 6, also includes members of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) Active Auxiliary.
Soldiers had comprehensive training and coordination exercises, including contingency planning, crowd control, and legal orientation, for their deployment.
They are backed up by 42 mobility assets that will be used to help secure and transport election materials.
Lamzon said the military will focus on counter-insurgency monitoring and will be ready to assist the police if additional manpower is needed.
Police Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay, officer-in-charge of Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR), said that soldiers will support 5,000 police officers in the region for the elections.
He added that Siquijor has adequate manpower for election security.
Ibay reminded lawmen to be neutral. “I will not tolerate any wrongdoings,” he said.
He reminded them to protect themselves as they secure the people voting on Monday.
“It’s our job to ensure their safety. This election is not just a right, but a celebration of choices,” said Ibay who reminded them to observe proper decorum.