AFP, PNP vow secure 2023 BSKE

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Police and military authorities in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao vowed to safeguard and to adopt every necessary effort to make the forthcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections scheduled on 30 October 2023 peaceful and orderly.

This comes as Commission on Elections chairperson Atty. George Erwin Garcia spearheaded the meeting held at the Alnor Hotel and Convention Center, located along Sinsuat Avenue in Rosary Heights IX, Cotabato City last Thursday.

Garcia reiterated to the different components of the Regional Joint Security Control Center the importance of upholding the integrity of the electoral process.

On Friday, Joint Task Force Central commander Maj. Gen. Alex Rillera stressed that they are fully committed to making every necessary effort to ensure that the BSK election will be peaceful and orderly.

Rillera added that the implementation of security measures was discussed by the different components of the RJSCC during a meeting, add that the respective comprehensive plans of the RJSCC were laid out to address the security challenges that may arise during the upcoming BSK elections.

Philippine Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Roy Galido affirmed the commitment of the security forces to ensure the successful conduct of the BSK elections within the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Galido said that the elections will proceed following the schedule set by the Comelec.

Also present at the meeting were Major General Steve Crespillo, the vice commander of the Philippine Army, who is expected to assume the role of the 17th Commander of the Western Mindanao Command, and Rillera.

The meeting was also attended by officials from the Philippine National Police, BARMM and other stakeholders.

In the previous meetings, Rillera has also assured the people of central Mindanao the soldier of JTF-Central is ready to ensure their security during the elections.

He emphasized the heightened monitoring of areas of concern within the Maguindanao Provinces and the Special Geographic Area of BARMM, adding that the JTF-Central has also increased the number of checkpoints and has adopted stricter security efforts in collaboration with other security forces in the area.