By Jennifer P. Rendon
The Police Regional Office 6 and the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division have declared full preparedness for the May 12 midterm elections.
PRO-6 committed 8,398 police personnel for poll duties, while the 3rd Infantry Division deployed nearly 4,000 soldiers across Western Visayas.
Police officers will be assigned to oversee polling precincts and will be stationed in strategic and high-risk areas.
Soldiers will augment police teams, providing additional security support in the field.
During the final pre-election meeting of the Regional Joint Security Control Center on May 8 at Camp Martin Delgado, Iloilo City, security agencies and the Philippine Coast Guard affirmed their readiness for election day.
Commission on Elections Region 6 Director Atty. Dennis Ausan presided over the meeting, which covered final preparations, including vote-counting machine testing and sealing, deployment plans, and resolution of election-related concerns.
Among those present were Maj. Gen. Michael Samson, commander of Joint Task Force Spear and the 3rd Infantry Division; Brig. Gen. Nhel Richard Patricio, commander of the 301st Infantry Brigade; Brig. Gen. Jack Wanky, PRO-6 director; and Commodore Philipps Soria, commander of the Coast Guard District Western Visayas.
Ausan said that all systems are in place and ready for implementation.
“Failure is not an option, and I am confident in our partners’ ability to ensure peaceful, orderly, and successful midterm elections,” Ausan said.
Samson echoed the commitment, stating that the Philippine Army is fully dedicated to delivering a safe, fair, honest, and credible election.
“Our troops and mobility assets are deployed, and we will increase visibility on election day to secure voters, protect polling places, and disrupt any illicit activity,” he said.
He called on all stakeholders to work together to ensure the elections are successful.
The RJSCC 6 has been holding regular coordination meetings in recent months to ensure thorough planning and inter-agency collaboration.
The final meeting was vital in confirming that personnel, equipment, and election materials were fully mobilized and ready for the 2025 national and local elections.
