By Priam Nepomuceno/PNA
MANILA — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Friday the movement of troops for next week’s second Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) plebiscite will only be minimal.
“AFP will make the necessary security adjustments in the wake of the Jolo incident. However, since troops are already pre-deployed, troop movement will be minimal,” AFP public affairs office chief Col. Noel Detoyato said in a message to the Philippine News Agency (PNA), when asked if there will be additional security preparations for the plebiscite in the wake of the twin bomb blasts in Jolo, Sulu that killed 22 people and wounded at least 97 others last January 27.
Detoyato earlier said the military will take “extra precautionary measures” to secure the second BOL plebiscite.
“We will take extra precautionary measures in the advent of the Jolo incident. Meanwhile, our troops are advised to be always on the alert for any changes in the security protocols to anticipate the fluid situation. All other security arrangements stay the same,” he said.
The second BOL plebiscite on February 6 will be held in the province of Lanao del Norte, except Iligan City; the municipalities of Aleosan, Carmen, Kabacan, Midsayap, Pikit, and Pigkawayan in the province of North Cotabato; and the 28 barangays to be included in the region.
The military deployed more than 10,000 troops and support units to help secure the BOL plebiscite, alongside the Philippine National Police.
