Neutrality of cops, soldiers in Central Mindanao polls cited

COTABATO CITY — Newly elected public officials praised the Army’s 6th Infantry Division and the Police Regional Office–Bangsamoro Autonomous Region for maintaining neutrality during joint election security operations in Central Mindanao's May 12 polls.

Reelected Cotabato City Mayor Mohammad Ali Matabalao told reporters via text and Viber on Friday, May 15, that his administration is grateful to the officials of the 6th Infantry Division and PRO-BAR for the tight security provided at polling centers across all 37 barangays in the city during the May 12 elections.

“They were neutral and efficient in performing their election security duties," Matabalao said.

Polling sites in Cotabato City were secured by teams led by Col. Jibin Bongcayao, the city police director, along with his superior, Brig. Gen. Romeo Juan Macapaz, regional director of the Bangsamoro police, and personnel from the Marine Battalion Landing Team 5 under the 1st Marine Brigade, which operates under the 6th Infantry Division’s control.

Datu Tucao Ong Mastura and Datu Ali Omar Midtimbang, the newly elected governors of Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur, respectively, separately said on Friday that soldiers and policemen in several polling centers last Monday had promptly resolved the tension among voters supporting rival candidates while waiting for their turns to cast their votes.

Two other units of the 1st Marine Brigade under Brig. Gen. Romulo Quemado, the MBLT-2 and MBLT-6, helped the 6th ID secure the polling sites in school campuses in seven towns in Maguindanao del Norte during Monday's elections.

Maj. Gen. Donald Gumiran, commander of the 6th Infantry Division, said their election security efforts were supported by the media community in Central Mindanao, as well as various Muslim and Christian peace advocacy groups.

“That gave our efforts a big boost,” he said.

The canvassing of election returns for the gubernatorial and vice gubernatorial races in Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur, both known for having election hotspots and where big Moro clans in some towns are locked in deep-seated political rivalries, was held at the headquarters of the Army’s 6th ID in Camp Siongco in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte.

Officials of the Commission on Elections in the Bangsamoro region were quoted in radio reports on Friday as saying that the election canvassing activities at the 6th ID headquarters, which culminated on Wednesday, were peaceful, accomplished without hitches.