MANILA, Philippines - The public may now report poll-related concerns to the Philippine Army by sending text messages to its election hotline.
In a statement, Col. Daniel Lucero, Army assistant chief of staff for civil-military operations, said the public can air their complaints or give their feedback by sending a text message to 0917-500-ARMY (2769).
“To advance its advocacy for credible May 2010 elections, the Philippine Army recently launched what it calls the Philippine Army Info-text for Credible Elections project,” Lucero said.
“Messages received by the system are processed for action by the concerned Army unit or office. Anybody who has a cellular phone can communicate with the system,” he added.
Lucero said the project will enable them to monitor the situation in the field. He said among the concerns that may be brought up to them are abusive government officials including military and police personnel, armed groups, and sightings of New People’s Army rebels who conduct extortion and recruitment activities.
The public is also encouraged to give their recommendations on how to enhance the services given by local government units nationwide.
“The system (can) accommodate other public concerns such as inquiries on the Army soldier’s recruitment process,” Lucero said.
The “Info-text for Credible Elections” project was originally designed to monitor the distribution of permits to campaign by communist insurgents in areas they consider as their strongholds. Lucero said the system has been expanded to cover other security concerns during the elections.
“The public is thus encouraged to use and communicate with the system and make their voices heard. Even one text message counts. By doing so, they are helping this country ensure a truly honest, orderly, peaceful and credible election this coming May,” Lucero said.
Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) will participate in another run for clean elections.
The event, dubbed as “Takbo para sa Maayos na Eleksyon Tungo sa Tunay na Transpormasyon (run for orderly elections towards real
transformation) and organized by the PNP, will be held tomorrow.
A total of 25 participants from the AFP will join the hundreds of PNP runners in the 15-kilometer run from the Southern Police District headquarters, the National Capital Region Police Office in Taguig to the PNP National Headquarters Parade Ground in Camp Crame in Quezon City.