By Priam Nepomuceno/Philippine News Agency
MANILA — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Friday placed all its units and camps nationwide on “red” alert during the run-up to Monday’s mid-term elections.
“The AFP is on red alert status starting 8 a.m., May 10, in support (of) the Commission on Elections, and the Philippine National Police in the upcoming National and Local Elections,” AFP Chief of Staff, Gen. Benjamin Madrigal, said in a statement forwarded to reporters.
This is to ensure that all military personnel are ready to act on any emergency and respond to possible threats, Madrigal said.
“We are ready to respond appropriately for the honest, orderly, and peaceful conduct of elections,” he added.
A total of 98,000 AFP personnel will be deployed to reinforce the more than 143,000 Philippine National Police operatives who are tasked to secure the elections.
Earlier, Madrigal said efforts to neutralize security threats, especially in areas with armed groups and lawless elements, will continue to make sure that there will be no failure of election.
He said some 40,000 troops will be tapped for these operations while the rest will secure the actual elections, along with members of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU).
“The AFP will also continue to intensify military operations, intelligence monitoring, community support programs and other efforts to prevent corrupt and destruction elements that intend to jeopardize and disrupt the conduct of the elections,” Madrigal said.
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