AFP, PNP to help ensure orderly polls in Zambales

MANILA, Philippines–Law enforcement agencies, including the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police, have been deputized to assist the Commission on Elections in holding an orderly and honest elections in the second district of Zambales scheduled on February 4, a military spokesman said Tuesday.

Major Enrico Ileto of the Philippine Army’s 7th Infantry Division said that the election period has already started on Dec. 21 last year and will end 15 days after the election day. Combined elements of the police and military are now regularly conducting checkpoints under the Joint Security Coordinating Comittee.

The commander of the 703rd Brigade, Col. Greg Catapang, and Lt. Col. Mike Samson of  the 24th Infantry Battalion recently attended a conference held by the Comelec in Subic, Zambales on Jan. 12 together with the regional and provincial commanders of the PNP to assess the present peace and order situation in the province, he added.

“(The) 24th Infantry Battalion under 703rd Brigade of the 7th Infantry Division is now monitoring developments to ensure that our citizens are guarded and protected where so far no election related violence has been reported”, Ileto said, quoting Major General Jose Z. Mabanta Jr., the commander of the 7th Infantry Division.

A special elections will be held in the second district in Zambales after the post was vacated by Representative Antonio Magsaysay Diaz who died August last year.