Defense chief to AFP: Job well done

From the Philippine Star (May 16): Defense chief to AFP: Job well done

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin cited thousands of troops deployed for poll duties for playing a major role in the successful conduct of the just-concluded mid-term elections.

“I am happy and I am commending all AFP troops and the police for a job well done. Your coordinated efforts contributed to the success of our operation. So keep it up and job well done,” Gazmin told the troops.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), in line with its pre-election preparation, ordered the formation several battalion-size troops for poll deployment in known election hotspot areas including Masbate, Abra and Lanao del Sur as well as in Sulu, Basilan and several areas of Central Mindanao.

On top of this, the AFP placed its entire force on a nationwide red alert before the May 13 elections.

Gazmin said that aside from several incidents, the soldiers’ presence to safeguard the voting public paved the way for the conduct of a peaceful political exercise in poll hotspot areas.

The AFP, meanwhile, has downgraded its red alert status to white and is now leaving to all its area commands all post-election security functions in coordination with the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

“We have already downgraded our alert level to white the other day,” Maj. Ramon Zagala, AFP Public Affairs Office (PAO) chief said.

Zagala said that despite the alert downgrading, troops deployed in so-called hotspots where electoral processes are not yet to be completed, will only be pulled out upon the Comelec’s approval.

http://www.philstar.com/election-2013/2013/05/16/942777/defense-chief-afp-job-well-done