AFP: Election-related incidents didn’t disrupt voters’ right to suffrage

The Armed Forces of the Philippines described the recently concluded Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections as a "generally peaceful" practice of the right to suffrage.

AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said the military came in "prepared and fulfilled" its task and responsibility during the BSKE.

"No threat group was able to cause any disruption in the voting process and the several election-related incidents reported weren't able to prevent our citizens from exercising their right to vote for their preferred barangay officials and youth leaders," Brawner told reporters on Wednesday.

Brawner cited the military's contribution to the conduct of "secured, free and orderly conduct of election" in close coordination with the Commission on Elections, Philippine National Police, Philippine Coast Guard, and the Department of Education.

Meanwhile, Brawner said the military will remain vigilant and will stay on alert amid the observance of All Saints and All Souls or Undas 2023.

While troops in the hinterlands will continue to fulfill their missions to protect and defend the country from internal security threats.

"We will also sustain our gains in the internal security operations to achieve complete victory against the communist and local terrorist groups as we face the challenges in the conduct of territorial defense operations," said Brawner.

"The Armed Forces of the Philippines remains resolute in its mission of protecting the Filipino people and securing the State from all kinds of threats, man-made or natural," he added.