By Priam Nepomuceno | Philippine News Agency
MANILA – Philippine Army (PA) commander, Lt. Gen. Andres Centino, assured that all officers and enlisted personnel of the service will remain non-partisan in next year’s elections.
“We have always been a professional organization and we abide by that. And I suppose in the coming elections, we will again be called together with the Philippine National Police as part of the main organization tapped by the Comelec (Commission on Elections),” he said in a TV interview over the weekend.
Earlier, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana reminded troops to remain neutral and non-partisan ahead of the May 2022 elections and military personnel is not allowed to campaign for any candidate.
The Omnibus Election Code prohibits soldiers from engaging in any partisan political activity.
“The national and local elections are drawing near. While we continue to conduct security operations, we must ensure that all personnel will exercise the right of suffrage. All are required to register for the upcoming elections,” Centino said.
The Army, he said, is committed to complying with the Commander-in-Chief’s (President Rodrigo Duterte) order to end local conflicts before the end of his term in 2022.
“We are ensuring that all our ground forces are capable and ready to comply with this mandate. Be assured that the Philippine Army will continue to serve with pride in serving the people and securing the land,” Centino added. (PNA) – bny