• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
All security forces in Negros Occidental are now on full alert status as Philippine Army soldiers and Philippines National Police (PNP) personnel have already been dispatched to their respective areas to secure the synchronized barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (BSKE) elections on Oct. 30.
PCol. Leo Pamittan, police provincial director of Negros Occidental, said on Friday they have assigned 2,170 police officers to man the polling precincts.
With the security preparations of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, “I am confident that we are good to go, and all set for the elections,” he added.
Security officials joined the Provincial Peace and Order Council meeting presided by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson at the Provincial Capitol Social Hall in Bacolod City on Friday.
Brig. Gen. Orlando Edralin, commander of 303rd Infantry Brigade, said they have 2,119 available troops, assisted by CAFGU Active Auxiliaries, to secure the elections in Negros Occidental.
Both the Philippine Army and the PNP have also organized their respective quick reaction forces to respond to any security emergencies.
Edralin said they are on full alert from Thursday (Oct. 26) until Nov. 4, which means soldiers are not allowed to have vacation leave in line with the elections.
Pamittan expressed his concerns on the possibility that lawless elements may take advantage of the situation, as he called on police officers, who may be targeted for violent activities, to be vigilant all the time.
Edralin reminded Army troops to do their best effort in making the BSKE 2023 peaceful and orderly, with the goal of zero election-related violent incident.
Any failure is not within our option, Edralin said.
Pamittan said the death of a ranking New People’s Army leader, during an encounter with Army soldiers recently in Barangay Canlusong, E.B. Magalona, has nothing to with the elections even if his father is running for councilor in the village. | GB
