The Commission on Elections on Wednesday added Pilar, Abra, and the province of Misamis Oriental to the 10 other areas already under its control for security reasons ahead of the May 9 polls as the police and military went on high alert.
Earlier, the Comelec placed the towns of Buluan, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Datu Piang, Mangudadatu, Pandag and Sultan Kudarat in the province of Maguindanao under its control.
Also under Comelec control are Marawi City and the town of Maguing both in Lanao del Sur, in addition to Tubaran and Malabang towns.
Comelec chairman Saidamen Pangarungan urged the military and police personnel to uphold their basic duty, which is to serve the people.
“Be loyal to your constitutional mandate as you safeguard the sanctity of the ballot. Protect our polling places and the Board of Election Inspectors,” he said.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) said that as of 6 a.m. Wednesday, they have declared a full alert, with all of its personnel ready to render service in preparation for the elections.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines said troops would be on red alert starting Friday.
“We are ready, we have done the planning, we have done the organization, and we have set up our monitoring command centers. We are declaring red alert by Friday so that we ensure that all AFP personnel across the country are accounted for by their commanders and ready for the election on Monday,” said AFP chief Gen. Andres Centino at a joint press conference with the PNP, the Coast Guard, the Department of Education, and the Comelec.
“And this is an assurance from your AFP, while at this time we are still uncertain of who will win, who will be the next leaders of our country, what we can be certain is that you have a strong armed forces ready to perform its duty,” Centino added.
In Metro Manila, the National Capital Region Police Office joined Wednesday’s simultaneous multi-agency send off ceremony of security forces tasked to ensure honest and peaceful elections in the region.
Director P/Maj. Gen. Felipe Natividad said a total of 24,322 NCRPO personnel were dispatched for the entire election period, including those from the Special Action Force, Presidential Security Force Unit, Mobile Force Battalion, Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Highway Patrol Unit, and Regional Maritime Unit.
The government also deployed in NCR 2,322 men from the Bureau of Fire Protection, 262 from the Coast Guard, and 533 from the Joint Task Force-National Capital Region.
Acting Palace spokesman Martin Andanar said the Office of the President has formed a committee that will oversee and ensure the smooth transition of power when Duterte steps down from office.
The transition committee will be led by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Andanar said.
In a speech delivered in Cainta, Rizal on Tuesday, Duterte expressed willingness to serve the public even beyond his term as a civilian.