BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The four newly-installed provincial police directors in Western Visayas have been ordered by PBrig. Gen. Flynn Dongbo to ensure peaceful and fair elections in Western Visayas.
This was the reminder of Dongbo to the new provincial police director of Negros Occidental, PCol. Leo Pamittan, and three others who assumed similar positions in Antique, Iloilo and Guimaras.
On the other hand, PCol. Joseph Martir became a full-fledged director of the Bacolod City Police Office on December 30 last year, police records show.
Dongbo, who presided over the change of command leaderships of Negros Occidental, Iloilo, Antique and Guimaras Police Provincial Offices on January 10 at Camp Martin Delgado in Iloilo City, advised newly-installed provincial police directors that their new assignments are another “opportunity not only to continue what they have started, but also to deliver more than what you have already accomplished.”
He added that he is confident that the four provincial police directors will ensure fair and peaceful elections in Region 6 amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Moises Padilla and Escalante City have been initially identified by Comelec as possible election areas of concern in Negros Occidental due to a history of election-related incidents in 2019 and the presence of New People’s Army in those areas.
Brig. Gen. Inocencio Pasaporte, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, earlier said that the inclusion two LGUs which he did not mention as possible areas of concern in the election are still subject for validation by the Joint Provincial Security Coordinating Center, which is composed of the Philippine Army. PNP, Philippine Coast Guard and the Comelec.
Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. has ordered soldiers to destroy private armed groups who may threaten the peaceful conduct of the May 2022 elections.
“In order for us to achieve peaceful and orderly elections, let us look into dismantling private armed groups,” Brawner said in an issued Philippine Army statement.
“Let me remind you of our two solemn duties in the coming elections: vote and ensure peaceful and orderly elections. We will not tolerate partisan politics and military adventurism,” he stressed during the first Army-wide command conference on Monday.*
