The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Sunday said it is optimistic the country will have orderly and peaceful polls on Monday, May 12.
In a statement, AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said the AFP is working closely with the Philippine National Police (PNP) duly deputized by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to ensure nationwide security during tomorrow’s polling exercises.
“We expect orderly and peaceful polls,” Padilla added.
Citing details from the PNP, the AFP official noted that 1,272 areas fall under the green category (generally peaceful), 197 under yellow (with a history of election-related incidents), 136 under orange (with active threats), and 35 under red (with intense political rivalries and serious threats).
Troop deployment numbers vary with focused presence in identified hotspots and areas of concern, according to the AFP.
Earlier, the Philippine Army said additional troops have been dispatched to bolster security measures in Central Mindanao as preparations intensify for the May 12 national and local elections.
Army 6th Infantry Division (6ID) commander Major General Donald Gumiran confirmed that a unit from the 53rd Division Reconnaissance Company (DRC) arrived on Friday afternoon at the Tactical Operations Group headquarters aboard a Philippine Air Force C-130 aircraft.
Gumiran said these elite forces will augment the operational capabilities of the 90th Infantry Battalion, which is tasked with maintaining security across key areas within the 6ID’s jurisdiction.
Comprising approximately 500 officers, the 53rd DRC will provide additional support to the 90th Infantry Battalion in several towns across North Cotabato and parts of the Special Geographic Area in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
These areas have been designated as “hot spots” by the Comelec.
As the head of Joint Task Force Central, Gumiran emphasized that this deployment forms part of the military’s broader security strategy to ensure peaceful and orderly elections.
“Our goal is to ensure a safe, peaceful, orderly, clean, and credible election. We support the Comelec and other agencies in upholding democratic integrity,” Gumiran said.
About 5,000 military personnel are currently deployed in the 6ID’s area of operations to help ensure orderly elections.
Padilla said monitored threats from local terrorist groups and lawless elements are being addressed with appropriate contingency measures as they work in election and combat modes throughout the polling period.
“(The) AFP personnel have been instructed to remain non-partisan, uphold human rights, and support Comelec and PNP in securing the electoral process. To our fellow Filipinos, your Armed Forces of the Philippines stand ready to protect your right to vote—safely, freely, and peacefully,” she said.