Philippine Navy–Eastmincom commits sea assets for May 13 polls

From the Philippine News Agency (May 4): Philippine Navy–Eastmincom commits sea assets for May 13 polls

The Philippine Navy in Eastern Mindanao is committing its naval assets to support the conduct of the May 13 elections.

Commodore Isabelo Gador, outgoing commander of the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao, said the deployment of the navy in the region is coursed through the Eastern Mindanao Command. In line with the mandate, he said that personnel, equipment, and assets will be ready to assist and support the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

He said the five naval vessels of NFEM will be used to transport PCOS machines particularly to the islands of Balut in Davao del Sur and Siargao in Surigao del Norte. A battalion of Philippine Marines have been deployed from Zamboanga to Misamis Oriental to support Army troops after the ambush of Gingoog Mayor Ruthie Guingona.

Gador said the Navy has not encountered any maritime threats that will disrupt the conduct of the May 13 elections adding that the presence of navy vessels is enough deterrent to nefarious elements. "Once they see our vessels, they will be scared," Gador said.

The outgoing NFEM commander said that of the original seven naval vessels of the NFEM which covers southeastern and northern Mindanao, two vessels have been redeployed to Tawi-Tawi in the aftermath of the Sabah crisis, where armed followers of the Sultan of Sulu clashed with Malaysian forces in the Malaysian town of Lahad Datu.

Gador who will take over Naval Forces Western Mindanao this May 10 will relinquish his NFEM command to Captain Antonio Habulan in ceremonies at the Naval Station Felix Apolinario in Panacan, Davao City this May 7.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=522547