Duterte deputes PNP, AFP for ‘credible’ BOL plebiscite, 2019 polls 

An Army soldier guards ballot boxes.  INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the deputization of the police, military and other law enforcement agencies for the January 21 plebiscite on the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) as well as May 13 elections.

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, by the authority of the President, signed on December 28 Memorandum Order No. 34 for the deputization of law enforcement agencies for the BOL plebiscite, and Memorandum Order No. 35 for the 2019 midterm elections.

“The foregoing law enforcement agencies and other concerned agencies are hereby directed to coordinate and cooperate with the Comelec in the performance of their duties and functions,” the orders stated.

Under the Constitution, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) “is empowered to deputize, with the concurrence of the President, law enforcement agencies and instrumentalities of the government, including the AFP, for the exclusive purpose of ensuring free, orderly, honest, peaceful and credible elections.” /kga