By Liza Agoot with reports from Janice Dio-as and Rubenson Bilag, OJT/Philippine News Agency
LA TRINIDAD, Benguet — The Regional Joint Security Control Center on Monday sent off a total of 6,244 police and military personnel to the six provinces of the Cordillera to secure the upcoming May 13 mid-term polls.
Their primary task is to secure the vote counting machines and personnel who would serve during the elections as well as the voters.
“Be in your best shape in and out because there are threats that could disrupt the flow of elections and violate human rights. Let me emphasize that our main role this election, especially on the voting day is to provide security in the vicinity of the polling precinct where we are assigned,” Police Regional Office Cordillera (PROCOR) regional director, Brig. Gen. Israel Ephraim Dickson said during Monday’s send-off ceremony at the regional police headquarters in Camp Bado Dangwa.
Dickson advised the security personnel to maximize their resources in order to ensure the safety of voters on election day.
“Once you are in the field, I encourage you to do whatever it takes to protect human rights because this is the very core of maintaining peace and order, ensuring public safety and upholding the rule of law,” Dickson said.
“When you are in the field, we cannot tell what may happen, we might be in a situation where our lives are at stake that is why be prepared to the probability of bad things happening,” he added.
Most of the members of the security personnel have already experienced election duties but Dickson said there is no room for complacency because “it is very dangerous to let your guards down”.
Col. Henry Doyaoen, commander of the 503rd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army also, reminded the troops of their primary task.
“We should also check and protect the election paraphernalia, election personnel and the most important is the vote of the people,” he said.
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