Naga City (PIA) – Major General Adonis Bajao, commander of the 9th Infantry "SPEAR" Division, Philippine Army announced the overall success and generally peaceful conduct of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataang Elections 2023 in the Bicol region on Monday, October 30.
Despite of few isolated election-related incidents in the provinces of Albay and Masbate, the overall electoral process was a resounding success, the division reported on Tuesday. This highlighted the collaborative efforts of Bicolanos, electoral boards, stakeholders and volunteers.
Bajao said that the vigilance and dedication of the security sector in the region significantly contributed to the success of the recently-concluded elections.
In Camarines Sur alone, on Saturday, October 28, more than 2,000 uniformed personnel were officially sent off to maintain peace and order during the local elections. The blessing and turnover ceremonies for various augmented resources such as mobile cars, trucks and ambulances from Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Army and Philippine National Police were also conducted.
Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police 5, headed by Regional Director PBGEN Westrimundo, has recognized the dedication and commitment of all law-enforcement agencies and their personnel who collaborated to ensure a lawful and secure execution of the local elections.
The brigadier said that police officers were deployed in every polling precinct while curfew was implemented in few parts of the region for the general welfare of the voting public.
Meanwhile, PNP Bicol has recorded a total of 16 victims from election-related incidents in the region: five were killed, four wounded, six unharmed, one injured. Of these, six were incumbent candidates, four were candidates, and six supporters of candidates.
A sum of six suspects were now arrested while 23 are still at large.
The Joint Regional Security Control Center since August 2023 has conducted comprehensive planning sessions and implemented plans to ensure a smooth electoral process. (PIA 5/Camarines Sur)
