AFP vows to deploy troops to aid Comelec

From the Daily Tribune (Apr 12): AFP vows to deploy troops to aid Comelec

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) yesterday vowed to deploy troops to assist the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and other government agencies involved in the holding of the May mid-term elections in maintaining peace and order before, during and after the polls.

The AFP affirmed is commitment in protecting and safeguarding the upcoming elections on Wednesday with the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MoA) with Comelec, the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Department of Education (DepEd).

Lt. Gen. Gregorio Macapagal, AFP deputy chief of staff, represented the AFP during the MoA signing which was attended by Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes, DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro and PNP Director for Operations Ager Ontog Jr.

Macapagal stressed that with or without the MoA, the 120,000-strong military, as deputized by the Comelec, is duty bound to ensure the safe and peaceful conduct of the elections.

“It is our task to ensure that the coming elections will be peaceful and orderly. We will therefore deploy personnel for election duty and ensure the security of polling places,” said Macapagal.

Pursuant to Comelec Resolution 9570, the AFP was deputized to ensure a free, orderly, and honest election.

In this regard, the AFP is mandated to assist the Comelec and the PNP in the implementation of elections laws, rules and regulations, and deter or deny private armed groups and other armed threat groups from conducting election-related violence.
The Comelec, AFP and the PNP have already activated Joint Security Coordinating Centers to serve as focal point for all coordination related to the elections.

Consequently, Joint Security Assistance Desks will also be established in polling precincts.

In 2004, the military was dragged into the alleged manipulation of the presidential elections as contained in the infamous “Hello Garci” recordings of conversations of then Comelec Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano and some personalities, supposedly including then presidential candidate Gloria Arroyo.

Several active AFP officers were mentioned in the tapped conversations of Garcillano, including then AFP deputy chief of staff for operations and Task Force Honest, Orderly and Peaceful Elections head Maj. Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr., who rose to become AFP chief.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/nation/item/12788-afp-vows-to-deploy-troops-to-aid-comelec