DEFENSE Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. has ordered the military to keep a non-partisan stance during the first Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARRM) parliamentary elections scheduled on October 13.
Teodoro issued the message on Saturday during a command conference at the headquarters of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division (ID) in Camp Siongco in Maguindanao del Norte.
The command conference was attended by AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., Army chief Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete, 6th ID commander Maj. Gen. Donald Gumiran and other military officials.
In a statement, DND spokesman Arsenio Andolong said Teodoro, during the conference, underscored the historic significance of the elections in the peace process and the democratic journey of BARMM.
“The defense chief reminded the AFP of the importance of non-partisanship and directed the military to protect the credibility of the proceedings in October as the people of BARMM exercise their right to choose their parliamentary representatives,” said Andolong.
He said Teodoro also assured the military of the national government’s full support “in helping ensure free, orderly and peaceful elections in the Bangsamoro.”
He said Gumiran reaffirmed the 6th ID’s “commitment and readiness” to secure the elections and provide “assistance” to ongoing government efforts to sustain peace and progress in the region.
In a separate statement, the 6th ID said Teodoro directed the military to “ensure the security and integrity” of the elections as he “stressed the importance of non-partisanship” during the polls.
It said Teodoro also “urged the military to ensure that the elections are conducted free from political interference, thereby allowing the voice of the people to be heard peacefully and credibly.”
Guimiran, the statement said, expressed the division’s “readiness and dedication… to protect the Bangsamoro people’s right to choose their leaders in a secure environment.”
