Military to help secure Zambales special poll

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has tasked the military to secure the special election in Zambales next month.

Maj. Enrico Ileto, spokesman of the Army’s 7th Infantry Division, said military, police, and poll officials are now conducting meetings to ensure an orderly election.

“Combined elements of the PNP (Philippine National Police) and AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) are now regularly conducting checkpoints under the Joint Security Coordinating Committee,” Ileto said in a statement.

Ileto said officials of the 703rd Infantry Brigade and the 24th Infantry Battalion have been coordinating with the Comelec and the PNP to assess the peace and order situation in the province.

The election in the second district of Zambales has been scheduled on Feb. 4.

The Comelec called for the special election to fill the post vacated by former Zambales congressman Antonio Diaz, who died of multiple organ failure on Aug. 3, 2011.

The election period started last Dec. 21 and will end 15 days after election day. The campaign period is set from Jan. 19 to Feb. 2. 

Maj. Gen. Jose Mabanta Jr., commander of the 7th ID, said the 24th IB is monitoring the security situation to ensure the safety of citizens.

“So far, no election-related violence has been reported,” Mabanta said.

Among those who are said to be eyeing the congressional post are Diaz’s daughter Rica; Zambales provincial administrator Jun Omar Ebdane, youngest son of Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane; Cheryl Deloso, daughter of former governor Amor Deloso; and Al Mendoza, an independent candidate.

Comprising the second district are the towns of San Narciso, San Felipe, Cabangan, Botolan, Iba, Palauig, Candelaria, Masinloc and Sta. Cruz. – With Ric Sapnu