May 9 polls generally peaceful, says police, military

Police Regional Office (PRO) 11 director Brigadier General Banjamin Silo Jr. said people were able to exercise their right to vote freely and safely.

Silo, however encouraged the public to continue to be on alert as they anticipate various post-election scenarios. 

“It is worth over emphasizing that we should still extend our security assistance to the vulnerable sectors of this electoral process. They must be protected for us to prevent post-election related incidence of violence,” he said.

Major Maria Teresita Gaspan, the spokesman of Davao City Police Office (DCPO) said there had been no reported cases that can affect the conduct of the national and local elections. 

Gaspan, however said there were 12 persons in six police operations who have been arrested for violations of the liquor ban.  No election-related incidents and crimes against property were recorded.

Gaspan in a report from the City Information Office (CIO) cited the cooperation of the DCPO, additional support forces, and other government agencies which served as security counterparts during the election day. 

She said security forces in the city remain on heightened alert for anti-criminality activities, and for strengthening checkpoints in case of a "spillover" from election hotspot areas.

Major General Nolasco Mempin, commander of 10th Infantry Division, meanwhile, said the conduct of national and local elections in its area of responsibility (AOR) was ‘very successful’ with no reported election-related incidents.

Mempin who also heads the Joint Task Force Agila Security Task Force Election 2022 also said the Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs) and other lawless groups were prevented from conducting violent activities, which may disrupt the elections, through intensified intelligence monitoring, sustained Focused Military Operations, and increased troop visibility. 

“We are glad that we have accomplished our mission of ensuring a secured, accurate, fair, and free elections in our AOR,” Mempin said in a statement.

Mempin attributed the peaceful conduct of elections through the good collaboration with Commission on Elections (COMELEC) officials, Philippine National Police (PNP) counterparts, and other security forces within its jurisdiction. 

10th ID had deployed 6,000 troops including members of the Election Duty Battalion (Provisional).

The military was able to establish 133 COMELEC checkpoints; 18 Election Monitoring Action Centers, and fully utilized its Mobility, Communication, and Information System Assets.