The Philippine Army in Negros Oriental has assured it will still provide security during the May 12 polls even as it slowly transitions from internal security to external defense.

Colonel Leroy Daanton, deputy commander of the 302nd Infantry Brigade based in Tanjay City, Negros Oriental, made the commitment on Friday afternoon, February 7, during a Peace Covenant signing and Interfaith Prayer Rally initiated by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

During the event, he said Brigadier General Joey Escanillas, the brigade commander, could not attend the activity as he was in Iloilo for a campaign planning workshop with other brigade commanders under the 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) on the “gradual shift of the Armed Forces of the Philippines from ISO (internal security operations) to territorial defense.”

Daanton assured the public that despite the transition, Army units are still actively taking part in securing their areas of coverage against any kind of threat that would mar the elections.

The 301st brigade in Dingle, Iloilo and the 302nd and 303rd brigades on Negros Island are under the 3rd Infantry Division and cover Western Visayas, Central Visayas and the Negros Island Region.

Aside from the brigade, three infantry battalions are undertaking ISO in Negros Oriental — the 11IB, 94IB and 62IB.

During the Provincial Joint Security Control Center meeting earlier in the day, Daanton said he briefed its members, including the Comelec and the Philippine National Police, on the transition.

He said all guerrilla fronts of the New People’s Army in Negros have already been dismantled, with active remnants active and under close monitoring. (PNA)