By Saul Pa-a/Philippine News Agency
CAMP GEN. VICENTE LIM, Calamba City — A total of 12,584 police personnel have already been deployed to strategic areas for poll duties in the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon (Calabarzon), with five days left before the mid-term elections on May 13.
This imposing force will be further augmented by about 511 personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), it was announced following the Area Joint Security Coordination Center (JSCC) Conference of top military and police officials from Calabarzon, Mimaropa and Bicol regions at the multi-purpose conference hall here Tuesday.
Director of Police Regional Office 4-A (Calabarzon), Brig. Gen. Edward Carranza, said the sole mandate of all government forces assigned to poll duties is to keep the peace while always remaining apolitical throughout the election process.
Carranza reminded police personnel that as public servants they should know the policy of non-partisanship. “For those who have their own political affiliations and/or relatives running for certain seat(s) in the government, you must refrain from showing your support and patronage,” he said.
Following Monday’s closed-door JSCC conference, Carranza expressed confidence that the troops would carry on with their mission in accordance with the Philippine National Police and AFP’s “Implementation Plan Election 2019” to ensure a fair, honest, secure and peaceful election on Monday.
“This send-off ceremony for our troops who will be deployed for election duties is a proof of our earnest aspiration for a secure, credible, and fair mid-term elections through working together at a level of excellence to ensure that we will meet our desired outcome,” said Lt. Gen. Gilbert I. Gapay, commanding general of the Southern Luzon Command who attended the security conference.
Also attending the send-off ceremony and joint security conference were Commission on Elections 4-A election director, lawyer Gloria Petallo, who commended both PRO 4-A and the AFP for their untiring support and assistance during preparations for the May 13 elections.
For the latest updates about this story, visit the Philippine News Agency website
