PIÑAN, Zamboanga del Norte, Oct. 27 (PIA) - Around a thousand security personnel are dispatched in various voting areas, including island barangays, all over the Zamboanga del Norte province.

Standing firm and resolute, joint security forces coming from the military, police, coast guard, and the fire bureau committed to ensuring a credible, honest, orderly, peaceful, and free Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) 2023.
 
A send-off ceremony, spearheaded by the 97th Infantry Battalion, together with the Commission on Elections, Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Police Office, Bureau of Fire and Protection and the Philippine Coast Guard, was held recently for the troops, including a prayer and blessing to ensure a safe and peaceful barangay elections.

The COMELEC emphasized the role of the security forces in resolving concerns in their respective areas of assignment, in case incidents arise.
 
"We have to act with patience and judiciously, meaning, with maximum tolerance. But if and when the circumstances call for it, we have to move quickly and we have to act with force if needed,” said Atty. Jossil Macute, provincial elections supervisor.
 
LtC. Nolasco Coderos, Jr., commanding officer of the 97th IB, reminded the troops of their basic duties and responsibilities during the election day, noting "all the efforts are for the betterment of the Zamboanga del Norte province."
 
Among others he mentioned, the strict implementation of the "Kontra-Bigay", which prohibits vote buying and selling, tops the list.
 
Meanwhile, PCol. Glenn Dulawan, provincial director of ZNPPO, is confident that with the laid-out security plan and close collaboration of all stakeholders, BSKE 2023 will be a success.
 
"We will be having a very enormous activity these coming days and despite how gigantic this task is, with this strength in our preparation, coupled with the all our collaboration, I’m sure that we will be successful with this activity," he said.

Atty. Wilfredo Jay Balisado, regional elections supervisor urged everyone to do what is necessary to help the COMELEC in achieving a peaceful, orderly, and honest BSKE 2023.
 
"Do what is right, and you don’t have to remember anything. Kasi, pag ginawa 'yung tama, wala kang rules 'dun. Tama 'yung ginawa mo.  You don’t have to recall anything, what went wrong, anong nangyari. Di ba when you start telling lies, sooner or later those lies will crumble. Kasi one lie after another, mahuhuli at mahuhuli ka rin. But if you are going to do what is right, and what is good, wala ho tayong dapat i-remember diyan hindi ho tayo pwedeng magkamali diyan," he opined. (NBE/EDT/PIA9-Zamboanga del Norte)