To ensure secure, accurate, free, and fair elections in 2025, over 10,000 personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will be deployed across Eastern Visayas.
This initiative is being carried out in coordination with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) regional office in Eastern Visayas following the second Regional Joint Security Control Center (RJSCC) conference hosted by the 8th Infantry Division (8ID) last Wednesday, January 15, 2025.
Key security preparations discussed included deployment plans, threat assessments, and measures to maintain peace and order during the election period.
The 8ID emphasized its readiness to secure the region, particularly 27 municipalities identified as election areas of concern. PNP data categorizes 12 of these as areas of concern, 13 as areas of immediate concern, and one as under grave concern.
Stormtrooper personnel will be deployed across three brigade sub-units stationed in Northern Samar, Samar, and Leyte provinces.
To boost security, AFP-PNP-PCG checkpoints have been set up in critical areas, including 17 stations in Northern Samar, 20 in Eastern Samar, 23 in Samar, 12 in Leyte, six in Southern Leyte, and one in Biliran province.
These checkpoints will enforce the COMELEC gun ban and help create a peaceful election atmosphere.
Joint Task Force (JTF) Storm is also set to conduct enhanced military and law enforcement operation in collaboration with RJSCC-8 to address potential threats and deter violence.
8ID Commander Major General Ariel Orio reaffirmed the commitment of security forces to safeguarding the elections. “The entire JTF Storm signifies our unwavering dedication to ensure a secure and peaceful election,” he said.
“Our preparations include maintaining the non-partisan role of military forces and fostering public confidence in their ability to protect our fellow Filipinos. I urge the people of Eastern Visayas to join us in achieving this goal,” Orio added.
