The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Wednesday said it will deploy troops in all areas nationwide to assist security for the upcoming midterm elections.
In an ambush interview at Camp Crame, AFP Chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr ensured the soldiers will augment the police force for the security of polling centers.
“We are deputized by Comelec to assist in the national elections. Those in the frontlines are our police but the Armed Forces of the Philippines will help in terms of making sure that our polling centers are secure and we will also help dismantle what we call PAGs or private armed groups,” Brawner said said in a mix of English and Filipino.
“The Armed Forces of the Philippines will deploy forces in almost all areas that are helping,” he added.
In line with the recent clash in Basilan that killed two soldiers, Brawner said they will retain troops in the area while examining troop deployment in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
“In fact, we were supposed to remove units there but because of what happened, we did not pull out. So our units will remain in Basilan and we are also studying, since the BARMM elections were delayed, how we will deploy our troops,” Brawner said.
He likewise assured stakeholders that through the solidarity pledge pact, the AFP will maintain a peaceful and secure 2025 elections.
