19th IB sends 100 soldiers to Biliran

KANANGA, LEYTE , Philippines   - The 19th Infantry Battalion based in this town deployed at least 100 soldiers yesterday (May 2) to augment government forces securing the May 13 election in Biliran province.

19th IB commander Lt. Col. Joel Alejandro Nacnac said the move to dispatch soldiers to the island-province of Biliran was earlier agreed by the Comelec and election deputies as pro-active measure against any unforeseen event.

“It may look awkward to the public, considering that Biliran had been declared as insurgency-free province in 2006. But the beefing up of the current number of security forces in the area is only to ensure unhampered conduct of election and that the public is never deprived of their right to suffrage”, Nacnac explained.

Police and soldiers on one Simba fighting vehicle and five light trucks paraded the streets of Naval, the capital town of Biliran early morning yesterday, as part of the kick-off event by the Comelec for secure and fair election (SAFE) 2013.

Nacnac said that, as election deputies, the military and police will be conducting checkpoints especially in areas considered “election hot spots.” Troops will also be detailed to secure polling places at least a day before the election and will withdraw only after all PCOS machines are turned over to the Comelec, he said. 

The election for local posts in Biliran is expected to be hotly contested, with ex-Rep. Glenn Chong making a comeback against incumbent Rep. Roger Espina, formerly a three-term governor of this island-province. Politics in the area has a history of violence, even extending up to after the elections, authorities said.

Colonel Rafael Valencia, commander of the 802nd Infantry Brigade based in Ormoc City, has a standing order to all soldiers, assigned to secure polling places and even those who are conducting checkpoints, to be strictly non-partisan.

He, however, encouraged the public to go out and cast their vote on election day, assuring them that the soldiers are on the people’s side to guard them against election machinations and terrorism.  (FREEMAN)