Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Romeo Brawner Jr. pledged the military’s assistance to ensure safe and peaceful elections by addressing private armed groups, peace spoilers and communist rebels.
General Brawner assured the public that the military would deploy personnel, assets and support joint security control centers nationwide.
“We will assist the Comelec in ensuring the safe transport of election materials and protection of election personnel. We will be doing this in conjunction, of course, with our partner, the Philippine National Police, under the supervision of Comelec,” Brawner said.
The AFP chief also encouraged the public to vote responsibly, rejecting calls for a military junta as a solution to the country’s problems.
“Let’s use our voices and our only one vote to correct what we want to correct in the government, in our society. Let us use our right to suffrage in the proper way,” he said.
Likewise, PNP chief Rommel Francisco Marbil said the police are prepared for safer and more peaceful elections. He noted intensified cybersecurity efforts and actions against private armed groups with loose firearms.
To bolster security, the Commission on Elections, in collaboration with the PNP and AFP, has activated the National Election Monitoring Action Center (NEMAC) at Camp Crame.
NEMAC will provide real-time monitoring of election-related incidents in polling centers nationwide.