20K security, DepEd personnel deployed to secure safety of May 9 polls
20,000 personnel of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and Department of Education (DepEd) were deployed to secure the May 9 national and local elections.
Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Saidamen Pangarungan thanked the uniformed service and DepEd for their “selfless service to keep the security and safety of the elections.”
“My marching orders to all of you who are present today and those you represent are simple: Go back to basics. Uphold your basic duty, foremost of which is to serve the people,” Pangarungan said.
“Be loyal to your constitutional mandate as you safeguard the sanctity of the ballot. Protect our polling places and the Board of Election Inspectors. Ultimately, I urge all of you to defend the sovereign will of the people,” he continued.
Pangarungan said that the election “is the purest form of democracy” .
“Our duty is to respect the will of the people regardless of our personal feelings on the matter. Let us uphold our mandate, obey lawful orders, and perform our tasks objectively,” he stressed.
Pursuant to Comelec Resolutions No. 10755 and No. 10743, the AFP, PNP, and PCG shall provide security and ensure availability of all land, air, and water assets including communication systems and other equipment to achieve a peaceful, orderly, fair, and safe elections.
0 Comments