• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Philippine Army will secure the exterior perimeters of the voting centers while the Philippine National Police (PNP) will be tasked to maintain law and order within the vicinity of the polling precincts during the May 12 elections, Provincial Elections Supervisor Ian Lee Ananoria said on Monday (Feb. 17).
The 303rd Infantry Brigade stationed in Negros Occidental is utilizing more than 1,000 soldiers and paramilitary troops to secure the electorate, candidates and poll workers, its commander, Brig. Gen. Ted Dumosmog said.
Ananoria said that not all members of the PNP may render election duties as some of them may also be deployed for border control, in case of the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon.
Police officers are also being eyed to serve as poll workers should there be shortage in personnel.
Members of the Provincial Joint Security Coordinating Center (PJSCC) led by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) are convening Tuesday (Feb. 18) at the Negros Residences in Bacolod City to finalize the assessment of the peace and order situation relative to the upcoming elections.
Ananoria said Lionel Marco Castillano, Comelec regional director for Negros Island Region, will also attend the meeting.
The PJSCC is also expected to present its contingency plans for the holding of elections in areas affected by a possible volcanic eruption. | GB
