Army deploys 6 battalions in Masbate, other parts of Bicol

From InterAksyon (May 6): Army deploys 6 battalions in Masbate, other parts of Bicol

The Philippine Army in Bicol has deployed an augmentation force of six battalions in the six provinces of the region, especially in the island province of Masbate, in an effort to prevent possible bloodshed and ensure honest and peaceful elections.

Army Major Angelo Guzman, spokesman of the Army's 9th Infantry Division, said the six additional battalions from the Army’s regional command is equivalent to close to 800 soldiers.

Guzman said the augmentation troops will re-enforce the current forces assigned in these areas that will ensure the peaceful and secured conduct of national and local polls here.

The bulk of the force will be sent to the island province of Masbate, which authorities and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) have classified as an election hot spot.

Prior the sendoff of the reinforcement soldiers, Archbishop Rolando Octavus J. Tria Tirona of the Arcdiocese of Caceres in Camarines Sur held a Mass at the Metropolitan Naga Cathedral and gave his blessings for the protection of the government forces and the Philippine National Police, public school teachers and volunteers who will be deployed for election duties.

In his homily, the prelate asked the Army and PNP to protect the votes of the people.
“With the vested authority in you and the courage you possess, let us protect the votes of the Bicolanos by performing honestly our duty,” Tirona told the law enforcers.
The augmentation soldiers belong to the 9ID’s “Task Group Bicol (TG Bicol).”

Guzman said the TG Bicol is the Army’s election-monitoring unit in the region.
It was activated last January and is headed by Brig. Gen. Felix J. Castro Jr., the 9ID assistant division commander.

“This Holy Mass led by Archbishop Tria Tirona is a big morale-booster for our soldiers, especially those who will be deployed for election duty. Your Army under the 9th Infantry Division is one with the Bicolanos in our common direction to have an honest, orderly, safe, peaceful and credible election,” Castro said.

Two days ago, the PA in Bicol deployed one platoon (30 soldiers) from Task Group Bicol’s reserve company in Masbate to beef up the security requirements in the province.

The additional platoon was deployed for election duty in Milagros town of Masbate, Lieutenant Col. Julian Pacatan, the commander of the Army’s 9th Infantry Battalion.

“We can now focus on Mobo, Aroroy, Placer, Cawayan, Balud, and Monreal,” he said.
In January this year, the 93rd Division Reconnaissance Company, composed of 100 soldiers, was deployed in Masbate.

Another platoon of the Task Group Bicol Reserve Company is on standby alert at the 9ID headquarters in Camarines Sur, which can be immediately mobilized anywhere in the region should election security requires,” Castro said.

Major Gen. Caesar Ronnie F. Ordoyo, Solcom chief, said they are closely watching the island province of Masbate following intense political rivalries among politicians who are employing members of the communist guerrillas as private armies.

The PNP in Bicol identified at least two private armies -- the Villaruel and Arizobal groups with 38 members -- in the province.

The island province of Masbate was earlier tagged as among the 15 election hot spot areas in the county. Due to this, the PNP and AFP deployed thousands of troops to beef up security in Bicol region.

The provinces of Masbate, Camarines Sur, and Camarines Norte are considered as election hot spots.

“Every battalion has at least a company-sized election task unit or around 130 soldiers. Every province has one battalion. But on election day the whole 9th ID or around 4,500 soldiers and 4,000 militiamen or Cafgus will be deployed for election day,” Guzman said.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/61062/election-hot-spot--army-deploys-6-battalions-in-masbate-other-parts-of-bicol