PCG on alert for barangay, SK elections

The Philippine Coast Guard said on Thursday that it is focused on maintaining peace and order in the upcoming barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections on 30 October.

Philippine Coast Guard Rear Admiral Armand Balilo stressed that the operation units of the PCG are on full alert for the elections, in coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police.

"Almost all operating units of the Philippine Coast Guard throughout the Philippines are on alert, and our activities are focused on maintaining peace during travel [for Undas] and the SK and barangay elections on Monday," Balilo said in an interview.

"Our mandate is to prioritize those far-flung areas where assets and personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard will be needed," he added.

As for the recent collision that occurred in the West Philippine Sea between Philippine and Chinese vessels, Balilo said: "Despite the recent incident of a collision in the West Philippine Sea… the Philippine Coast Guard personnel [will] not be swayed by what happened and [will] just do the duty assigned to us. We are committed to working on the RoRe [rotation and resupply] mission and we will support our colleagues in the Philippine Navy."