By JEN BAYLON
More than 7,000 personnel from the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine Coast Guard are being deployed across the Negros Island Region (NIR) to secure the May 12 midterm elections.
“We have covered all the areas in the region. We already have a deployment. We’re good to go,” Police Regional Office-NIR officer-in-charge Brigadier General Arnold Thomas Ibay said.
The deployment is pursuant to the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) security requirements in the region, especially Negros Oriental, which recorded election-related violence in previous years, including the assassination of former Governor Roel Degamo in March 2023.
Negros Oriental has more than 1,400 police officers assigned to ensure a peaceful and orderly voting process on Monday, May 12.
Ibay said the augmentation will remain in the province until May 15.
Security forces have been stationed at polling centers, safeguarding ballots and overseeing automated counting machines in the NIR provinces of Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental and Siquijor.
This strategic redeployment aims to fill the gap in security forces and ensure adequate coverage across the province during the election period.
With four days left before the midterm elections, Comelec-NIR has taken decisive steps to address security concerns, focusing on police deployment and election hotspots.
The Comelec-NIR earlier classified La Libertad town and Guihulngan City in Negros Oriental under the Red Category, or areas of grave concern, with intensified police and military presence already in place.
The rest of the local government units are under the Yellow Category for having a history of political unrest or tension.
Authorities emphasized their commitment to remain non-partisan and ensure peaceful, orderly and credible elections throughout the region.
Meanwhile, Police Colonel Ronan Claravall, director of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office, directed his personnel to exercise maximum tolerance in dealing with the candidates’ supporters and voters, reminding them to maintain neutrality in the elections.
Claravall said no election-related incidents or threats have been reported against candidates in Negros Oriental so far.
However, police monitoring, in coordination with other law enforcement units, is ongoing for any possible threats during the elections.
Earlier, 310 personnel from the Bacolod City Police Office arrived in Negros Oriental on Tuesday, May 6, to augment security for the midterm elections.
“They have been deployed to voting centers after a ceremony at the parade grounds. They were welcomed by the provincial police force,” said Police Lt. Stephen Polinar, spokesperson of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office.
Furthermore, Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office spokesperson Police Captain Judesses Catalogo said the Philippine Army will also assist by securing remote voting centers, particularly in far-flung areas in Negros Occidental.
Several quick response teams will be deployed to safeguard the transport of election paraphernalia and automated counting machines.
Catalogo said the election campaign period has remained calm, with no complaints filed by the 731 candidates vying for various positions.
He also confirmed that no private armed groups are currently operating in the province, and no intense political rivalries have been reported so far.
“All private armed groups in Negros Occidental have all been dismantled,” Catalogo said./JB, WDJ