In a concerted effort to secure the upcoming midterm elections on May 12, Eastern Visayas will see the deployment of approximately 10,000 personnel from various security agencies. The initiative was announced following a solidarity pact signed by members of the Regional Joint Security Control Center (RJSCC) on Wednesday.
The Philippine Army, along with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), will strategically position their forces across the region to safeguard the electoral process. Maj. Gen. Adonis Ariel Orio, commander of the 8th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, highlighted the collective commitment to democracy, stating, “Our signatures on this pact are a pledge to protect the essence of democracy, ensuring that the people’s voices are heard, protected, and respected during the 2025 National and Local Elections.”
Brig. Gen. Jay Cumigad, Director of Police Regional Office 8, affirmed the readiness of the police force to support peaceful elections, promising active monitoring and swift response to any election-related incidents. The RJSCC, which also includes the Commission on Elections (Comelec), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), and various faith-based organizations, is focused on ensuring a secure voting environment.
Lawyer Remlane Tambuang, Comelec Eastern Visayas director, stressed the importance of unity and cooperation among all involved agencies to mitigate security threats and facilitate a safe voting process. “Our collective efforts are crucial to ensuring that every voter can cast their ballot freely and without fear,” he remarked.
The reactivation of the RJSCC underscores the government’s commitment to maintaining stability and ensuring a peaceful electoral process in Eastern Visayas.