Government agencies, including the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), sent to election duties more than 18,000 personnel in a ceremonial send off and turnover ceremonies at Camp Crame.
The event was witnessed by Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Saidamen B. Pangarungan, who also revealed he had also placed the town of Pilar in Abra and the province of Misamis Occidental under the direct control of the poll body.
Pangarungan said the Comelec has placed Pilar under its control upon the recommendation of their regional director in the Cordilleras after one of the security personnel of the current vice mayor was killed when a security convoy sped through a police checkpoint and allegedly engaged policemen in a shootout.
PNP chief General Dionardo Carlos said he would also relieve and replace the whole team of policemen in the municipality upon the recommendation of the Comelec.
During the send off and turnover ceremonies led by the PNP at Camp Crame, a total 18,672 policemen and soldiers, and personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard and the Department of Education (DepEd) were deployed to support the holding of a secure, free and fair elections.
PNP Public Information Office Chief Brig. Gen. Roderick Augustus Balba said a contingent of 596 PNP personnel, 400 AFP personnel, 100 Coast Guard personnel and a hundred from DepEd attended the ceremonies.
“The event showcased the blessing of all deployable members of the security forces and resources that include the simultaneous operation of all equipment, vehicles as well as the placing of sticker on selected PNP vehicles by Comelec Chairperson Saidamen B. Pangarungan who was assisted by PNP Chief Police General Dionardo Carlos,” Balba said.
The ceremonies highlighted the solidarity messages of Coast Guard Admiral Artemio Abu, AFP Chief of Staff General Andres Centino, Carlos and the final guidance of Pangarungan.
“The PNP, as one of the deputized agencies of Comelec, has started all security preparations as early as May 2021. Your Philippine National Police planned ahead and took all considerations for any contingency. Your Philippine National Police will be present to perform before, during, and after the elections and we are staying focused on the task ahead,” Carlos said.
“So, we will stand strong, we will finish strong and we will perform professionally for peaceful elections. The 225,000 strong men and women of the PNP are one with Comelec and other members of the security forces to make sure that we guard the votes of the Filipino nation. This is our commitment. And to the Filipino people, your PNP will be there in all polling centers and voting precincts to make sure that your votes will be counted,” he added.
On the other hand, Centino said the military would work with its partners in order to ensure that the elections would be orderly, peaceful and credible.
“As one of the institutions deputized by the Comelec for this coming election, the AFP is one with our valued partners from other government entities, law enforcement agencies, and the other sectors of our society to ensure a free and orderly exercise of our right to suffrage,” Centino said.
“This send-off ceremony signified the AFP’s resolve to synergize its effort and resources with its fellow public servants to perform its duties and responsibilities this coming national and local elections with utmost professionalism, credibility and impartiality,” he added.