Less than a week before the National and Local Elections, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) joined government agencies in sending off forces to be deployed for election duties on Wednesday, May 4.
The multi-agency send-off and turnover ceremony was held at the Philippine National Police (PNP) Grandstand in Camp Crame, Quezon City.
In attendance were AFP Chief of Staff General Andres Centino, PNP Chief Police General Dionardo Carlos; Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commandant Admiral Artemio Abu; Department of Education Secretary Leonor Briones; and Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Chairman Saidamen Pangarungan.
“As one of the institutions deputized by the COMELEC for this coming election, the AFP is one with our valued partners from other government entities, law enforcement agencies, and the other sectors of our society to ensure a free and orderly exercise of our right to suffrage,” said General Centino.
“This send-off ceremony signified the AFP’s resolve to synergize its effort and resources with its fellow public servants to perform its duties and responsibilities this coming national and local elections with utmost professionalism, credibility and impartiality,” added General Centino.
In line with the task to ensure peace and security, the AFP has also submitted a proposed resolution which the COMELEC adopted to prevent candidates from giving in to the extortion schemes of the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army –National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).
“The AFP expresses the importance of issuing a promulgation which shall inform our elections candidates that giving monetary contributions to the CPP-NPA-NDF as permit to campaign and permit to win fees are election offenses and grounds for disqualifications as covered by existing laws,” General Centino said.
The AFP’s proposal was included in paragraph seven (7) of the COMELEC memorandum dated April 28, 2022 which states, “As per COMELEC Resolution No. 22-0179, the payment of Permit-to-Win (PTW) and Permit-to-Campaign (PTW) to the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) and its allied organizations are covered by the law prohibiting vote-buying and vote-selling.
Thus, any candidate enhancing his or her candidacy by paying PTW and PTC to the CPP-NPA-NDF and its allied organizations may be prosecuted under Section 261 of the Omnibus Election Code.
The AFP, PNP, and PCG were directed to provide security to polling places, including election materials and paraphernalia on May 9.
They will also provide security to COMELEC personnel, its deputies, and other persons performing election-related functions. They will also make available land, air, and watercraft assets, communication systems, and other equipment to assist the commission.
“I urge all uniformed personnel to remember that the Filipino people trust us to secure the sanctity of their votes, as is their constitutional right to have a say in the future. Let us perform our duties with an utmost dedication that bespeaks our strong hearts for public service. Be assured of the trust and confidence of your leadership in the AFP,” the AFP Chief of Staff said. (AFP) – gb
