LIEUTENANT General Alfredo Rosario Jr., commander of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), has ordered the troops in Basilan province to prepare for the worst-case scenario on election day.
Major Andrew Linao, Westmincom information officer, said that Rosario issued the order during his meeting with members of the Joint Task Force (JTF)-Basilan.
Rosario visited Basilan province Monday, April 18, to check the JTF-Basilan's preparations for the May 9 national and local elections.
"The terror groups may try to disrupt the peace and order during the election period but our preparedness will assure that they will not succeed," Linao quoted Rosario as saying.
On March 25, Radzmil Jannatul alias Abu Khubayb, the leader of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in Basilan province, was killed in a clash with government troops in Sitio Center, Baiwas village, Sumisip, Basilan.
Jannatul was a notorious Basilan-based ASG sub-leader who replaced the late Furuji Indama as the top leader of the group following the latter's death sometime in October 2020.
"Let us also sustain our good coordination with our partners from the Philippine National Police, the Commission on Elections, and other agencies to ensure an honest, orderly, and peaceful elections," Rosario added.
He reminded the JTF-Basilan troops to remain non-partisan at all times.
Brigadier General Domingo Gobway, JTF-Basilan and 101st Infantry Brigade commander, said they have already prepared security plan to ensure the orderly and peaceful conduct of the election in the province.
Gobway said that as protectors of the people and the state, JTF-Basilan troops are ready for disposal to safeguard the sanctity of the May 9 national and local elections.
The province of Basilan comprises two component cities and 11 municipalities, two of which are island towns.
Lawyer Vidzfar Julie, the provincial election supervisor, said the province has 297,322 registered voters.
Linao said the unit commanders of the JTF-Basilan have ironed out all the plans and approaches, as well as the execution to ensure the best results during the meeting with the commander of the Westmincom.
On Tuesday, April 19, Rosario visited the 1st Infantry Division (ID) to check the command's preparation for the upcoming elections.
He commended the 1Id's efforts, especially its accomplishments in the past months, mentioning the significant endeavors the command continues to undertake to maintain peace and order in Zamboanga Peninsula.
"Be flexible and always coordinate with the PNP," Rosario told the 1ID troops.
"Ensure the preparedness of our troops wherever they are deployed and to whatever precincts they will be assigned," he told the 1ID key officers in a meeting. (SunStar Zamboanga)