Comelec requests airlift of election paraphernalia in Capiz town

ILOILO CITY — The municipality of Tapaz in Capiz province has requested for air support in the delivery of election materials to a remote barangay to facilitate the conduct of the mid-term elections on Monday.

Commission on Elections (Comelec) 6 (Western Visayas) director, lawyer Jose Nick Mendros, said a communication has been sent to Comelec chairman Sheriff Abas, who will be coordinating with officials of the Philippine Air Force (PAF).

Mendros said the far-flung polling center can only be reached through a two-day trek as reported to the Comelec by the Provincial Joint Security Center. “The request is still with the office of our chairman,” he said, adding scarce detail is known about the barangay.

Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Dennis A. Alcarde, Group Commander of the PAF Tactical Operations Group 6 (TOG 6), said in an interview that they will wait for any signal from the Comelec as to the kind of support that it needs on Monday.

“We have air assets that we can deploy in case they need air capability. We are just awaiting directive from our Central Command,” Alcarde said.

He said they have at least two Huey helicopters that they can deploy.

The PAF-TOG 6 has been conducting preparations in line with the May 13 elections, he said, adding that they invited the Comelec to talk about their role as military personnel during elections.

They also have regular briefings for situational awareness where they have to project what air support will be used, who will be deployed, who will take the lead, and the like.

Nonetheless, he urged the voting population to “vote wisely” as he assured that the PAF is just ready to render the task that will be assigned to them.