(8th ID)
TACLOBAN CITY – The Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division, through Task Force HOPE–Eastern Visayas, has deployed an additional 86 military personnel across the region to help ensure peaceful and orderly national and local elections on Monday, May 12, 2025.
With this latest deployment, the total number of troops assigned to election security in the six provinces of Eastern Visayas has reached 2,821 personnel.
According to Task Force HOPE (honest, orderly, peaceful elections)–Eastern Visayas Commander Col. Arlino Sendaydiego, the additional forces will be deployed to areas threatened by the presence of communist insurgents and other potential sources of election-related violence.
“The troops will be stationed in strategic locations, particularly in communities affected by the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG). Their mandate is to provide a secure environment for voters, candidates, and election personnel,” he said.
Sendaydiego added that the military will also assist in monitoring the presence of private armed groups, which may attempt to disrupt the elections through intimidation or violence.
Maj. Gen. Adonis Ariel Orio, commander of the 8th ID, assured the public that despite election-related deployments, internal security operations against insurgents will continue without interruption.
“We remain committed to our primary mission of neutralizing the remaining communist terrorist elements. At the same time, our troops will fulfill their election duties while remaining non-partisan and apolitical,” he said.
Orio reminded all deployed personnel to strictly observe their constitutional role of securing the conduct of free, honest, and peaceful elections, without engaging in political activities or favoring any candidate.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
