EastMinCom, Comelec finalize security preparation for election

THE EASTERN Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) and the Commission on Election (Comelec) continue to boost the security preparations for the coming national and local election.

EastMinCom chief LtGen. Greg T. Almerol met with the Comelec, Philippine National Police (PNP), and other government security agencies during the series of Regional Joint Security Control Center (RJSCC) Command Conference three weeks before the election day. They different agencies finalized the preparations for secure, accurate, free, and fair elections (SAFE) this year.

Maj, Alex Mindalano, the EastMinCom spokesperson said, the series of conferences highlighted the discussion on security preparation updates, particularly on the deployment of troops and contingency measures in sites identified as "Election Areas of Concerns" during the National and Local Election 2022.

The RJSCC for Northern Mindanao Region was held on April 18 in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon. On April 20, a simultaneous conference was held in Davao City; Caraga Region, and in Surigao City, Surigao del Norte.

It can be recalled that the EastMinCom has been deputized by the Comelec as one of the law enforcement agencies and government instrumentalities to undertake security operations before, during, and after the elections.

Moreover, Almerol assured the public that the series of surrenders of the NPA members and the collapse of their units weakened the communist group’s capability to conduct atrocities during the election.

"Now that they are in a very weak position, we are confident that the CTG (communist terrorist group) cannot disrupt our people from exercising their rights. Despite this, we are still on high alert to prevent any incident to happen, especially in areas identified with security concerns,” he said.

"We will coordinate closely with our security counterparts regularly be