1,000 soldiers deployed to Abra poll hotspots

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines – More than 1,000 soldiers from the Army’s 5th Infantry Division (ID) have been deployed in Abra amid reports of election-related violence and the presence of private armed groups.

Col. Loreto Magundayao, chief of the 5th ID’s civilian-military operations battalion, said the troops in Abra were the biggest Army contingent sent by the 5th ID.

Magundayao said additional soldiers were also deployed in Cagayan Valley, Cordillera, Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino.

The deployment, he said, aims to thwart attempts by private armed groups, New People’s Army guerrillas and other lawless elements to disturb the elections.