AFP sees more peaceful elections

MANILA, Philippines - Judging from fewer reports of election-related violence since the start of the campaign season, the May 13 elections are likely to be “a lot peaceful” than the 2010 polls, a ranking military official said yesterday.

“There is less violence based on initial trends. We believe the coming election will be a lot safer and a lot more peaceful than the last election,” Armed Forces deputy chief for operations Brig. Gen. Aurelio Baladad said.

Armed Forces spokesman Col. Arnulfo Burgos also expressed optimism that no major untoward incident would disrupt the May 13 polls.

“With the coordination that we are making with the Philippine National Police (PNP), we can assure (the public) that we will have a peaceful election,” he said.

“We have troops ready to secure our elections. Together with the PNP, we have created joint security coordination centers so we can integrate our security provisions for the election,” Baladad said.

“If we combine our strengths, we can cover a lot more areas and a lot more candidates,” he added.

Baladad said field units may also realign their forces to address security problems in specific areas.

Meanwhile, the military has deployed a platoon to Milagros, Masbate as part of a drive to beef up security in areas where communist insurgents and private armies are active.

Maj. Angelo Guzman, spokesman for the Army’s 9th division, said about 30 soldiers from Task Group Bicol’s Reserve Company landed in Masbate on May 3.

“The additional platoon will be deployed for election duty in Milagros town of Masbate,” said Lt. Col. Julian Pacatan, commander of the 9th Infantry Battalion.

The previous deployment to Masbate was in January, comprising about 100 soldiers from the 93rd Division Reconnaissance Company.