Elections in North and Northeastern Mindanao peaceful

From the Philippine News Agency (May 10): Elections in North and Northeastern Mindanao peaceful

Election and military officials issued a joint statement Tuesday, describing the conduct of the elections in Northern Mindanao and the Caraga Region as “generally peaceful.”

Capt. Patrick Martinez, spokesperson of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division (4ID), said in a statement released to the local media Tuesday that the 4ID covers Region 10 and Region 13.

“Except for the provinces of Lanao Del Norte and Misamis Occidental, and the municipal town of San Fernando in Bukidnon, the two regions are considered within the area of the responsibility of the 4ID,” Martinez said.

Renato A. Magbutay, Caraga Regional Election Director, also thanked the military and the police for a job well-done in ensuring security during the conduct of the national and local elections in Northeastern Mindanao.

However, Magbutay said, it is not yet time to “lower our guards” since the remaining phases of the election, which deal on the counting and canvassing of votes are more critical.

Wilfred Balisado, the Region's Election Director in Northern Mindanao, also lauded the military and the police of the active support in ensuring a free, orderly, honest, peaceful, and credible elections.

“Although there were minor instances of election related violent incidents”, Balisado said that the law enforcers manage the situation without affecting the conduct of the election and the voters.

Major Gen. Benjamin R. Madrigal Jr., Commander of the Army’s 4ID, said that the military and the police will continue to be vigilant as the counting and canvassing of the votes go on.

He also calls on everyone to respect the results of the national and local election.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=883961