At least 18,000 personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) have so far been deployed as the first day of the election campaign period commenced on Tuesday. 

In a press conference at Camp Aguinaldo, AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said the number of military personnel could still be increased depending on the "category" that the was given by the Philippine National Police (PNP). 

Padilla stressed the military is closely collaborating with the PNP under the umbrella of the Commission on Elections (Comelec). 

“So for red areas, of course, we'll have more troops in the area. And it also varies — including the transportation of ballots, so these are mobile deployments. We'll add more troops accordingly,” she said. 

Padilla pointed out more troops will be deployed in areas where private armed groups (PAGs) are identified.

“So there are different categories that were given by our Philippine National Police. So there are red areas, orange areas, yellow areas. That's where our deployment will vary, how many troops we will bring there,” she said.

“But rest assured that the armed forces of the Philippines will provide and of course make sure that the elections will be conducted peacefully and our fellow countrymen will be able to exercise their constitutional right to vote during the day,” she added. 

Meanwhile, Padilla emphasized the AFP also continues its local security operations. 

“Over and above that, sabay din nga ‘yan ating internal security operations, hindi rin namin yan binibitawan (alongside with our internal security operations, we are also not letting go of that),” she said. 

“While the elections are heavy on Army operations, the Air Force and the Navy, as they aid also in the elections, they are still continuing with our territorial defense operations. So all of that is in tandem. We don't neglect anything, even during the election season,” she added. 

“We will give additional troops in that area (with PAGs). So at the same time, our internal security operation is still ongoing.”

Further, Philippine Army spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala said their troops are now engaged in election-related activities as requested by the Comelec and the PNP.

“As to the preparation of the Philippine Army, we have already deployed a number of checkpoints and as well as designated personnel to support the PNP in securing identified pole precincts for the upcoming election,” Dema-ala said. 

The AFP supports the PNP in deploying personnel at checkpoints, providing security for the transportation of ballots in polling precincts. 

“And all other operations as will be deemed necessary for the AFP to support in terms of ensuring a peaceful election. We also have continuous deployment, So if it's election season, we are prepared,” he said.