Military, police deputized for Zambales special elections

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — Law enforcement agencies including the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) were deputized to assist the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in ensuring an orderly and honest election in the 2nd district of Zambales on February 4.

"The 24th Infantry Battalion under the 703rd Brigade of the 7th Infantry Division is now monitoring developments to ensure that our citizens are guarded and protected where so far no election related violence has been reported," said Major General Jose Z. Mabanta Jr., Commander of the 7th Infantry Division.

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The election period started on December 21, 2011, and will end 15 days before Election Day, where combined elements of the PNP and AFP are now regularly conducting checkpoints under the Joint Security Coordinating Committee.

Special elections in the 2nd district of Zambales will be done to fill the vacancy of the congressional seat after Representative Antonio Diaz died last year.

Among electoral candidates are former Provincial Administrator Omar Ebdane, who is the son of incumbent Governor Jun Ebdane; Cheryl Deloso, daughter of former governor Amor Deloso; and Rica Diaz, one of the daughters of the late congressman Diaz.