Army, PNP, Comelec lauded for keeping peace at Moises Padilla

By: Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – President Rodrigo Roa Duterte lauded the Philippine Army, the Philippine National Police, and the Commission on Elections for “a job well done” in Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental in connection with the May 13, 2019 polls.

Brig. Gen. Benedict Arevalo, commander of the Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade, relayed the president’s message when he took his oath as a newly promoted general at Malacañang recently.

Arevalo said the elections in Moises Padilla, which remains under Comelec control until June 12, turned out to be violence-free.

Arevalo further said President Duterte told him that placing the town under Comelec control led to positive results.

“The reason why we will not leave Moises Padilla is because we would like to maintain our gains in terms of security,” Arevalo added.

Earlier Moises Padilla Mayor-elect Ella Yulo-Garcia and Vice Mayor-elect Ian Villaflor requested for the retention of the military and police personnel deployed in Moises Padilla until June 12 citing security concerns.

Arevalo also said that “What we are now trying to determine is the size and number of troops to be retained in the town.”

More than 300 military and police personnel, backed up by two armored personnel carriers, were deployed to Moises Padilla after it was placed under Comelec control.

This was due to poll related incidents, including the separate killings of its two incumbent councilors and a former head of the town Association of Barangay Captains.

Lt. Col. Egberto Dacoscos, 62nd Infantry Battalion commander, said the peace and order situation in Moises Padilla remains normal.

Dacoscos also noted a lull in violent activities perpetrated by rebels, compared to previous months.

But Dacoscos, who supervises the security operations of 62IB in the 4th and 5th districts of Negros Occidental, said they are not taking chances, as their combat operations against communist rebels continue.