THE Armed Forces yesterday said its internal and territorial defense operations are not being hampered by its additional job of ensuring peaceful and orderly elections in May.
In a radio interview, AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said the military has enough forces for deployment throughout the country to perform its three missions, namely, territorial defense, internal security, and election duties.
“The internal security operations and territorial defense operations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines are continuing even if it is already election season,” said Padilla.
Padilla said the Philippine Navy is leading maritime patrols under the military’s territorial defense operations.
The Philippine Army is leading the campaign against internal security threats, including the communist New People’s Army and several terrorist organizations.
“At the same time, the Army is deployed during the elections. We also have our force multipliers, our reserve force, and we also have our civilian active auxiliary,” said Padilla.
Padilla said some 18,000 soldiers are earmarked to perform election-related duties, including manning of checkpoints.
“That’s the number (of troops) that is currently committed for deployment,” said Padilla, adding the number may rise as the need arises.
“All our units, all of us, are prepared to augment anytime,” she added.
Padilla reiterated that the Armed Forces is committed to maintaining peaceful and orderly elections.
“We are conducting intelligence operations, we are conducting security patrols, we are conducting checkpoint operations. We are improving security (environment) to prevent harassment, (and) violence that may affect the integrity of the elections,” said Padilla.
Padilla said the military establishment is always prepared for emergency situations, adding that soldiers are ready for rapid deployment.
Padilla reiterated the reminder of AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. for soldiers to remain non-partisan during the elections.
