FILE PHOTO: Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana. INQUIRER FILES
MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has deployed more than 45,000 personnel to assist the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in ensuring the orderly conduct of the national and local polls on Monday, May 9.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said that the military personnel were deployed mainly in cities and municipalities under “elections areas of concern.”
The latest available data from Comelec indicated that there are 104 election areas of concern nationwide.
“Our troops shall help prevent illicit and/or illegal activities that may compromise the safety and sanctity of the elections,” he said in a statement Friday.
Lorenzana also reminded military personnel “to remain professional and non-partisan.”
“Despite differences in opinion and preferences, may we all remember the potential of our vote to elect the right leaders of our democratic country,” he added.
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