THE Philippine Army has deployed more troops from Luzon to Lanao del Sur province where 20 areas were flagged as potential election hotspots by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
The additional troops deployed on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, to the Bangsamoro province of Lanao del Sur are the 23rd Division Reconnaissance Company (23DRC) from the 2nd Infantry Division (2ID) and the 72DRC from the 7ID.
The 2ID is based in Camp Capinpin, Rizal, while the 7ID is Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija.
Major General Yegor Rey Baroquillo Jr., 1ID and Joint Task Force (JTF)-ZamPeLan, said the newly deployed units will focus on conducting area assessments, securing key locations, and providing rapid response capabilities as needed.
"We will continue to work closely with local government units, the Comelec, and law enforcement agencies to ensure a peaceful, honest, and credible electoral process," Baroquillo said.
He said the deployment aims to deter threats and strengthen the capacity of the military to swiftly respond to any election security concerns.
The deployment of the two DRCs came a week after the 1ID activated the Tabak Provision Battalion and deployed the soldiers from Zamboanga del Sur to help ensure safe, peaceful, and credible elections in Lanao del Sur.
On Saturday, April 26, Lieutenant General Antonio Nafarrete, commander of the Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom), led the deployment of troops, representing three battalions from different regions of the country, to tighten security in the two Maguindanao provinces, Cotabato City, Lanao del Sur, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao's (Barmm) Special Geographic Area, a territory carved out of the Soccsksargen region.
The 20 areas of concerns in Lanao del Sur are among 32 locations in Barmm categorized as "red" or high-risk zones.
Baroquillo said the arrival of the troops from Rizal and Nueva Ecija underscores the commitment of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to securing the May 12 polls.
He encouraged the citizens to actively participate in the democratic process and to cooperate with security forces in upholding the integrity of the elections. (SunStar Zamboanga)