A little over two weeks before the May 12 midterm elections, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) assured the public that military personnel in Mindanao are on alert to ensure the peaceful and orderly conduct of the polls.
AFP Chief Gen. Romeo S. Brawner Jr. visited the 403rd Infantry Brigade and the entire 4th Infantry Division (4ID) at Camp Osito Bahian in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon on Thursday, April 24, to personally oversee the security preparations of the troops for the upcoming elections.
In his address to the troops, Brawner reminded them of their vital responsibility to uphold neutrality and remain steadfast in their constitutional mandate to protect the Filipinos and secure the nation from threats amid reports of poll-related violence.
“The AFP will remain neutral and nonpartisan, so let us make sure that the upcoming election will be fair, orderly, and reliable,” the Chief of Staff said.
The Philippine Army earlier deployed 400 soldiers from Zamboanga Peninsula (Region 9) to beef up security forces in Lanao del Sur in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Reinforcements were also sent by the Army to Basilan where at least 11 areas were reportedly considered as poll hotspots by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).