The 62nd Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army is focusing its attention on two areas in Negros Oriental that are categorized as “red election hotspots”.
Lt. Col. Evelio Ilanga, 62IB commanding officer, told the media on Friday that Guihulngan City and La Libertad town are tagged under the highest category of watchlist areas of concern due to the presence of the New People’s Army.
“We are not letting our guard down even if the NPA is no longer a serious threat as we are dealing with remnants of the dismantled Central Negros 1 guerilla front, whose also operates in some parts of Negros Occidental,” Ilanga said.
“Alongside the Philippine National Police, we are continuing security operations to ensure that the conduct of the elections in these areas will proceed smoothly.”
A shooting incident involving an elected official in Guihulngan City and the burning of heavy equipment in La Libertad, followed by an encounter, allegedly perpetrated by the NPA, were cited earlier as the reasons for placing these areas under the red category.
Ilanga, however, said there have been no reports of atrocities related to the elections in which the NPA is involved.
Additionally, authorities have not received complaints or reports of alleged permit-to-campaign fees being collected by the insurgents from poll bets as they did in the past.
Ilanga assured that government forces are ready for any eventuality. He said their troops will serve during the elections and at the same time undertake counter-insurgency operations.
Negros Oriental also has one area listed under the “orange” category and 22 others under the “yellow” category of election “hotspots”.
Code yellow means an area has history of political unrest; orange indicates the presence of armed groups; while red is for those deemed as critical areas.
Meanwhile, Police Capt. Benjamin Fuentes of the Philippine National Police here, the Police Provincial Office committed to provide 1,102 of its personnel to be deployed at the polling centers.
The PNP’s Special Action Force will dedicate 24 of its personnel, while the National Support Unit will also provide 40 of its personnel to assist in securing voting centers.
The Police Regional Office of Negros Island Region will also provide augmentation personnel of 310 officers.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines also committed to assign 1,017 personnel in polling centers, while 189 personnel from the Bureau of Fire Protection will be deployed as well as 85 from the Philippine Coast Guard.
Fuentes said there are 551 voting centers and 5,969 polling precincts identified, and 1, 289 clustered precincts in Negros Oriental.
“After months of conferences and preparations, by now we must be fully equipped and ready for the elections,” said Police Col. Ronan Claravall, provincial director of PNP Negros Oriental during the Provincial Joint Security Command Center meeting on April 21.
Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Michael Aquino, commanding officer of the 11th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, assured that security measures are in place as early as now.
“As early as now, mayroon na po tayong naka-deploy na QRF (Quick Reaction Force) sa mga city at municipality. Regarding sa problem natin sa CTGs (Communist Terrorist Groups), hindi na natin yan pinababayaan for the sake of the elections,” Aquino said.
(We have deployed QRFs in every city and municipality as early as now. Regarding our problem with the CTGs, rest assured that we are not abandoning our duties on this for the sake of the elections.)
PCG Negros Oriental Commander Lt. Abigail Enopia also assured their readiness in assisting security troops for the elections.
“The PCG have committed personnel to assist in the security of polling centers especially in islands such as Apo Island and Olympia in Bais City and coastal barangays,” Enopia said.
Apart from providing security assistance in polling centers, PCG will also conduct maritime patrol along coastal towns and cities in the province on Election Day, assist in the transport of election paraphernalia in Apo Island, and assign personnel in seaport terminals to ensure a convenient and safe passage of returning residents to the province to cast their votes. (RAL/PIA7-Negros Oriental)
