AFP deploying at least 30,000 soldiers for May election

April 30, 2019

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will deploy at least 30,000 soldiers to assure peaceful conduct of the 2019 May midterm election.

“We will be supporting the PNP and the Comelec (Commission on Elections) in this midterm elections and around 30 to 40,000 of our troops will be directly committed but it will also depend on the situation on the ground, it will be decided upon by the united commanders,” Col. Noel Detoyato, AFP Public Affairs chief, said Tuesday.

“There are identified precincts by the Comelec that need extra security. That is where our troops will be deployed because we are deputized by the Comelec. Those troops who will be deployed for election duties will take some of their deployments from the Comelec,” he added.

Detoyato said military operation against rebels, bandits and terrorists will continue.

“Our counter-insurgency operations, all other security operations will not be stopped, there will be ongoing operations even if there is an ongoing election,” he said.

“There is no SOMO (suspension of military operation),” he added.

Detoyato added that aside from its personnel, the military will also use its assets in transporting election paraphernalia’s in some places in the country.

“(Like in) Pagasa Islands, the VCM, the vote counting machines are under contact by To Go but the election paraphernalia will be transported by Air Force assets. There are some other places that the Navy, the Army and the Air Force, transportation assets will be tapped by the Comelec depending on the security situation,” he said. Robina Asido/DMS