• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The police and military have deployed their respective quick reaction forces (QRFs) in strategic areas of Negros Oriental, especially in the third district of the province, to immediately address any security issue that may arise during the May 12 elections.
PBrig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay, regional director of Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region, said for now, there is no need to concentrate more police forces in the third district, based on recent developments.
Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo, widow of slain Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, is vying for the congressional seat in the third district, against Janice Teves Gaston, aunt of gubernatorial candidate Henry Pryde Teves and ousted Rep. Arnolfo Teves.
The Teves siblings were both linked to the assassination of then Governor Degamo in 2023.
Negros Oriental, which was placed under Comelec control in previous elections, is being considered an area of concern for the May 12 polls.
A total of 310 personnel of the Bacolod City Police Office have been dispatched to Negros Oriental for election duties.
As of this time, Ibay said they have not monitored any private armed groups, who may be utilized by unscrupulous candidates for election related purposes.
With the establishment of the Regional Election Monitoring Action Center, he said “we are confident that we will be able to address any problem that may arise.”
The 302nd and 303rd Infantry Brigades are utilizing 2,521 soldiers for election duties in Negros Island. | GB
