Randy S. Veracion
PIÑAN, ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE – “The recently concluded May 13,
2013 National and Local elections in the provinces of Zamboanga Del Norte and
Misamis Occidental including five municipalities of Zamboanga Del Sur was
generally peaceful”. This was the assessment of the various sectors after
all the results of the elections in said areas were reported.
Despite a few untoward incidents, the
conduct of elections in those areas was orderly as no major cases of
election-related violence were reported.
For his part, Col. Apolinario Y.
Alobba, Commander of the 101st Infantry Brigade, 1st
Infrantry “Tabak” Division, Philippine Army credited the peaceful elections in
those areas which are within the Brigade’s Area of Responsibility or AOR to the
combined efforts of different government agencies and the civilians.
During the start of the election
campaign, the 101st Brigade made incessant support and coordination
with the Philippine National Police, the COMELEC, other stakeholders and the
whole citizenry. Army troopers were deployed to known election hotspot areas with
the mission to help thwart possible election-related violent incidents under
the program Secure and Fair Election (SAFE) polls. The deployment started early
January this year.
The 101st Infantry (Three Red Arrows) Brigade, 1st
Infantry Division, Philippine Army has deployed
more or less 5,000 Army Troopers including Civilian Armed Forces Geographical
Unit Active Auxiliary (CAA) under its operational control.
Col. Alobba In his post-election
message said: “As we concluded the recent political exercise, I urge all
candidates, supporters and ordinary citizens to move on and unite towards the
greater interest of serving our constituents and the general public. I also
enjoin each and every one to keep the spirit of “Bayanihan” as we help one
another in winning a lasting peace towards progress and development”.
