THE Sulu-based 1102nd Infantry Brigade (1102Bde) has activated and deployed a task force on Saturday, May 3, to the island town of Pata as part of intensified security measures for the upcoming May 12 midterm polls.
The Task Group “Pata” is composed of personnel from the 21st Infantry Battalion, 2nd Civil-Military Operations (CMO) Company of the 15th CMO Battalion, 112nd Military Intelligence Company, and Signal Battalion.
Colonel Wilfreo Borgonia Jr., 1102Bde executive officer, has been designated as the Task Group Pata commander.
Borgonia has assured the public of the task group’s professionalism and readiness to perform its mission.
“We are fully prepared to carry out our mandate with integrity and discipline. Task Group ‘Pata’ stands ready to protect the democratic rights of the people of Pata and ensure the conduct of secure, accurate, free, and fair elections,” Borgonia Jr. said.
The creation of the task group demonstrates the brigade’s commitment to ensuring a safe, peaceful, and orderly election in one of the more remote and security-sensitive areas in the region.
The unit will be tasked with securing polling places, supporting the Commission on Elections (Comelec), and coordinating with local government units and law enforcement agencies.
Brigadier General Alaric Avelino Delos Santos, 1102Bde commander, emphasized that the deployment reflects the Joint Task Force (JTF) Orion’s dedication to upholding democratic processes and safeguarding the will of the people.
“Through Task Group ‘Pata,’ we aim to guarantee that every voter in the island municipality of Pata can exercise their right to vote without fear or intimidation,” Delos Santos said.
“We recognize the unique challenges in this area, but we are confident in the capabilities and resolve of our troops. Our presence here is not only to secure the electoral process but also to assure the community that the government is committed to maintaining peace, security, and stability. We urge the public to cooperate with our forces and report any threats to peace and order,” Delos Santos added. (SunStar Zamboanga)