THE national and local elections were generally peaceful after Pinoys were able to cast their vote despite some reported violence in some parts of the country.
“Although there are 15 election-related violent incidents, we were able to respond immediately, so we are able to stabilize the situation in those areas na medyo (quite) critical by shifting forces, and because of that, the election, natuloy (proceeded). So in all areas, natuloy yung election (the election proceeded). So our assessment as of now is (that) the election is successful through our support to the Comelec (Commission on Elections) and the PNP (Philippine National Police),” AFP spokesperson Army Col. Ramon Zagala said in an interview with reporters Monday night.
Most of these election-related incidents took place in Mindanao, Zagala said, but the presence of government troops in critical areas provided the people with the confidence to vote and deterred groups planning to conduct atrocities.
“Majority of the areas where we were deployed, it’s peaceful and we are able to secure so that the people can vote,” he said.
The Philippine Army (PA) also announced it has deployed additional troops to assist the PNP in securing polling areas in Metro Manila.
Two platoons were deployed as augmentation forces for the AFP’s Joint Task Force-National Capital Region (JTF-NCR).
It can be recalled that the PA deployed a composite company to augment JTF-NCR troops at the start of the election season in January.
The composite company was deployed in parts of Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela, and Quezon City.
Additionally, the PA allocated 51 organic vehicles and four air assets to assist the Comelec with its transportation requirements.
PA chief Lt. Gen. Romeo S. Brawner Jr. earlier placed the Army under red alert status to ensure that all units are complete and ready to be deployed on orders to address possible threats that may arise during the election period.
Brig. Gen. Allan Nobleza, PNP Deputy Director for Operations said the recorded incidents were isolated cases, including those in Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao.
“If we are going to compare this data during the last elections, this number we have now is still lower as compared to previous elections. And the PNP could say that the election that is happening now is generally peaceful,” Nobleza said in a press conference.
