3ID vows to be apolitical peacemakers for ‘SAFE 2016’

From the Philippine Information Agency (Mar 10): 3ID vows to be apolitical peacemakers for ‘SAFE 2016’

“All the men and women under my command will remain your strongest and most reliable partner in ensuring the protection of an important right that we are about to exercise comes May.”

This was the assurance made by Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) commander Brig. Gen. Harold Cabreros during a recent peace covenant signing ceremony among candidates for the provincial elective positions at the Roxas City Metropolitan Cathedral.

The commander noted that the 61st and 301st Infantry Batallions have been designated to overview the election preparation in Capiz and Island of Panay, respectively, in ensuring a Secure and Safe Elections (SAFE) 2016.

“We are in full support to the COMELEC along with all our machineries and capabilities to ensure that each one us will cast vote to choose the best people to serve us,” Cabreros said, adding that the soldiers will remain apolitical instrument of peace this election season.

3ID covers 10 provinces within Panay, Negros, Bohol, Siquijor and Guimaras islands.

The Army official has also appealed to all the candidates, civil society organizations, religious groups and the citizenry to be more vigilant on election violence and not be swayed by the use of guns, goons and gold.

The call was amidst government’s efforts to monitor election hotspots to ensure the threats and risks will not hamper the electoral process in these areas.

The Philippine National Police has placed a total of 286 cities and municipalities on the Election Watchlist of Areas (EWA) as of December last year.

Out of the 286 cities and municipalities identified as EWAs, the PNP Directorate for Intelligence has placed 133 of them under Category 1 while 54 are classified under Category II.

Ninety-nine others are considered under Category III.

Category I falls in areas with incidents that are purely political in nature while areas with threats from armed groups fall under Category II and Category III is tagged in areas where the situations in Categories I and II are present.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1001457574253/3id-vows-to-be-apolitical-peacemakers-for-safe-2016-