Special Action Force (SAF) troops have been deployed to two towns in Lanao del Sur after the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) declared the said areas under its control ahead of the 2022 polls.
Maj. Gen. Valeriano de Leon, head of the Security Task Force (STF) for the 2022 National and Local Elections, told DZRH that the deployment of SAF troops in Tubaran and Malabang is in accordance with the request of COMELEC chairman Saidamen Pangarungan.
"This is the request of the chairman of the COMELEC to send SAF troopers to the area," de Leon told DZRH in an interview.
"Itong dalawang bayan na ito sa Lanao del Sur ay idineclare under COMELEC control so there was a request to beef up the forces in the area," he added.
(These two towns in Lanao del Sur have been declared under COMELEC control so there was a request to beef up the forces in the area.)
According to the official, nothing has happened yet in these two towns but there are parameters to consider an area under COMELEC control.
"This is the power of the chairman of the COMELEC," said de Leon. "Remember that he comes from Mindanao and meron siyang reports na mga natatanggap, so we do not have to wait for something to happen."
(This is the power of the chairman of the COMELEC. Remember that he comes from Mindanao and he is also receiving reports, so we do not have to wait for something to happen.)
De Leo said that there are "potential groups" in the COMELEC-controlled areas that could transform into "private armed groups" serving candidates in the said towns.
"That is the information of the chairman of the COMELEC at ganun din samin. There are potential groups that might create or do violence in the area."
(That is the information of the COMELEC and from us. There are potential groups that might create or do violence in the area.)
"Kaya meron tayong kaukulang aksyon diyan," he said.
(So we need to have a corresponding action to that.)
The deployment of SAF troops in the towns in Lanao del Sur came weeks before the anticipated May 9 elections, which will seat a new president, vice president, roster of senators, as well as local executives across the country's provinces and municipalities.
