CATBALOGAN CITY — About 10,000 personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP) and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will be deployed across Eastern Visayas to ensure the security and integrity of the 2025 National and Local Elections.

During the second Regional Joint Security Control Center conference hosted by the 8th Infantry Division (8ID) this week, key security preparations were discussed, including deployment strategies, threat assessments and measures to ensure peaceful elections.

Special focus will be given to 12 municipalities classified as areas of concern, 13 as areas of immediate concern, and one municipality identified as an area of grave concern by the PNP.

The RJSCC has already established AFP-PNP-PCG checkpoints at strategic locations to enforce the Commission on Elections gun ban and maintain peace.

To counter potential threats and deter violence, Joint Task Force (JTF) Storm will implement enhanced Military and Law Enforcement Operations in coordination with RJSCC-8.

Maj. Gen. Ariel Orio, commander of the 8ID, emphasized the military’s non-partisan role and the importance of public confidence in ensuring a secure election process.

“The entire JTF Storm signifies our unwavering dedication to ensure a secure and peaceful election. Our preparations include maintaining the non-partisan role of military forces and fostering public confidence in their ability to protect our fellow Filipinos. I urge the people of Eastern Visayas to join us in achieving this goal,” Orio stated.

The collaborative efforts between security forces and local communities aim to foster an environment conducive to free and fair elections in Eastern Visayas.