• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Soldiers of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division stationed in Regions 6 and 7 were ordered to strictly comply with the directives issued by the Commission on Elections, especially on the ban of firearms, and to refrain from engaging in partisan politics.
The order was issued by Maj. Gen. Marion Sison, 3rd Infantry Division commander, following the start of election period for the synchronized barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections slated on October 30.
Sison also reminded Army soldiers manning the joint Comelec checkpoint operations, in tandem with the police, to strictly observe standard procedures.
He also disclosed that about 30 percent of the troops assigned at the 3ID headquarters in Jamindan, Capiz, will be deployed for the conduct of election duty in provinces of Iloilo, Guimaras, Capiz, Antique, and Aklan.
Sison also ordered Army infantry units to conduct of counter insurgency operations without any let up, and prevent remnants of the New People’s Army in the region from coercing and intimidating the candidates and influencing the voters to exercise their freedom of suffrage.
In a statement, he also assured its partner agencies, including the Comelec and the Philippine National Police (PNP), that the 3ID will render its full support to ensure a secured, accurate, free and peaceful elections.*
