3rd Infantry Division vows to ensure peaceful barangay elections in Western Visayas

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 27): 3rd Infantry Division vows to ensure peaceful barangay elections in Western Visayas

Officers and men of the 3rd Infantry Division, which is based in Camp Peralta, Jamindan Capiz, on Sunday vowed to do everything in their authority to ensure that Monday's barangay elections in Western Visayas will be peaceful and credible.

“The Philippine Army here in Western Visayas remains as instrument of peace and works hand in hand together with the PNP and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in order to ensure an honest, secure, fair and peaceful conduct of 2013 barangay elections. Likewise, we will remain apolitical and non-partisan during the conduct of elections,” 3rd Infantry Division commander Brig. Gen. Aurelio B. Baladad said.

Since the start of the election period, the Army together with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Comelec have been performing its mandate under the Regional Joint Security Coordinating Center (RJSCC) in implementing election laws.

Security measures include the conduct of chokepoints and checkpoints and necessary procedures were also set in order to ensure the safety of the voters.

Baladad said that troopers have been deployed several days before the actual conduct of elections in order to monitor and prevent any plans of the CPP-NPA in the far flung barangays.

“We will not allow any group to influence and undermine the electoral process. The AFP and the PNP will remain vigilant and steadfast to ensure honest, orderly and peaceful elections,” Baladad stressed.

“We call on all the candidates, civil society organizations, religious groups and the citizenry to be more vigilant in preventing violence and exercise their right to suffrage free from any influence, threat and intimidation,” he concluded.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=580542