Army Prepares for Elections, Kanlaon Disaster Response

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY – The Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde) is nearly finished with its security preparations for the May elections and disaster response amid the looming threat of Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Island.

Brig. Gen. Ted Dumosmog, 303rd IBde commander, said in an interview Thursday that more than 1,000 personnel will be deployed to secure candidates, voters, and Commission on Elections (Comelec) personnel.

“We have made a plan in coordination with the Comelec and the police, as well as a contingency plan in case of a major eruption that may cause disruptions in the election due to the transfer of polling precincts,” he said.

The brigade has committed 45 officers, 200 Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (Cafgu) Active Auxiliary (CAA) members, and 800 enlisted military personnel from the 62nd, 79th, and 94th Infantry Battalions (IBs).

Dumosmog acknowledged some threats from the New People’s Army (NPA) but said they were insignificant, adding that troops will continue to protect and track down anyone attempting to disrupt the election.

He said there are enough personnel for election security but emphasized the need for local government units (LGUs) and the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) to assist in Kanlaon disaster response, particularly in evacuation efforts if Alert Level 4 is raised.

If the alert level reaches four, an estimated 75,000 families within the six- to 12-kilometer danger zone in Bago and La Carlota cities and La Castellana town will be affected.

Currently, 29 evacuation centers are sheltering 24,000 individuals or 7,000 families under Alert Level 3.

“We are hoping that no major eruption will happen and that Mt. Kanlaon will remain calm,” Dumosmog said.