SIBULAN, Negros Oriental, May 7 (PIA) -- More than 3, 000 security and law enforcement personnel have been deployed to different areas in the province to provide security during the May 9 polls. 

A simultaneous send-off ceremony was held at Camp Francisco I. Fernandez in Sibulan on May 6 where Msgr. Julius Heruela, lead convener of the Diocesan Electoral Board (DEB) of the Diocese of Dumaguete, blessed the troops.  

Of the total number of security force, 2,048 are from the Philippine National Police (PNP), 1,100 from the Philippine Army (PA), 400 from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and 79 from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). 

This includes the augmentation force from their respective regional offices. 

Heads of the said agencies also committed to deploy their mobile assets to enhance their security response operations. 

PNP Negros Oriental Provincial Police Director PCol. Germano Mallari said part of their deployment are 66 mobile patrol cars, 49 motorcycles, one Man Truck, and one bus. 

For communication, the provincial police office will use 354 radio sets and cellular phones for their election duties. 

PCG Commander Lt. Junior Grade Marc Anthony Tolentino said their assets are now ready for deployment along the province’s coastal waters to thwart any maritime threats on Election Day. 

PCG will also send personnel to Apo Island in Dauin and Olympia Island in Bais City to augment the security in the polling centers in these islands. 

On the other hand, BFP Provincial Fire Director Supt. Joel Abarquez said all their 45 trucks are now ready for deployment across the province. 

In his message during the send-off ceremony, Heruela reminded them to be apolitical in the performance of their duties. 

“Sana tandaan natin na ating binibigyang serbisyo ang ating bayan. Wala tayong kinikilingan kon dili ang ating bayan. Maraming offer ngayon. Offer ng mga pulitiko, offer ng mga tao. Pero ating ilagay sa ating puso na nandito tayo para sa bayan, para sa kapayapaan (Let us remember we are serving the nation. We should side with the people. There are a lot of offers coming from politicians and other personalities but we must inculcate in our hearts that we are here to serve the nation and we are here to give peace),” he said. 

Representatives from different religious sectors also offer their prayers for the security personnel, including Imam Abdul Maulah Muhsin of the local Muslim Community and Pastor Noel Bactol of the PNP Moral and Spiritual Transformation Program. 

Commission on Election (COMELEC) Provincial Election Supervisor Atty. Lionel Marco Castillano, who is also a part of the Provincial Joint Security Coordinating Center, accepted the turnover of government security forces during the said ceremony. 

“The people of Negros Oriental has given you great responsibility to secure their vote. Each of us is entitled to one precious vote. That precious vote, I task you to protect,” Castillano said. 

Mallari and BGen. Leonardo Peña, commander of the 302nd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army, assured that they will fulfil the task given to them which is to uphold peace and order on Election Day. 

“Our mission is to secure the voters. They must be free from intimidation and let us ensure that all the voters in Negros Oriental can cast their votes on May 9. Another (mission) is to secure the polling centers and also to secure the integrity of the ballots. With the guidance of the election supervisor, our troops are ready. The PNP will do its duties professionally,” Mallari said. 

“Nandito kami at nagkakaisa upang maghatid ng pag-asa, ng proteksyon sa ating mamamayan upang sila ay makaboto ng maayos at walang agam-agam (We are all here united to give hope and protection to the people and assure them that they can vote properly and without fear),” Peña said. (RAL/PIA7 Negros Oriental)