About 5,684 security forces were deployed on Friday to keep the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) peaceful in Negros Occidental and Bacolod City on Monday, October 30.
Philippine National Police and Philippine Army officials assured that they will remain on full alert for the elections, and for All Saints Day and All Souls Day on November 1 and 2.
The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) and the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) held send-off rites for their election security forces on Friday.
There were 5,021 troops deployed at the NOCPPO, which include 2,176 police officers, 2,119 Armed Forces of the Philippines soldiers, 575 from the Bureau of Fire Protection and 151 from the Philippine Coast Guard.
“We’re good to go. We’re ready for Monday’s elections. All the polling precincts will be manned. We assure the public that the conduct of the elections will be secured,” Col. Leo Pamittan, police provincial director, said.
The Negros Occidental police red alert that started on October 19, will last until November 3, he said.
Meanwhile, the BCPO fielded 663 personnel to secure polling precincts in Bacolod, while 380 of its men were sent to help augment poll security in Iloilo.
Brig. Gen. Orlando Edralin, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, said the Army will ensure that the Communist rebels will not be able to collect “permits to win” fees from the BSKE bets.
They have not received complaints of such activities yet but are keeping a close watch, Edralin said, adding that so far the lead up to the elections has been peaceful.
Edralin said the Army went on red alert on Thursday, and it will last until November 4.
“That means all leaves, passes are cancelled. We are on a full status ready for deployment for the election period,” he said.
Negros Occidental has 51 villages identified as election areas of concern, of which three were tagged as as areas of grave concern.
Provincial Election Supervisor Ian Lee Ananoria, who joined the NOCPPO sendoff rites, said without the uniformed personnel there would be no successful elections.
He called for prayers for honest, orderly and peaceful elections.*