ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Apr. 2, 2013) – Philippine military chief General Emmanuel Bautista flew to Zamboanga City to meet with his commanders and assess the progress of the so-called Internal Peace and Security Operations in the southern region.
General Rey Ardo, chief of the Western Mindanao Command, briefed Bautista about its security efforts, including the crisis in Sabah. Details of the briefing were not made public.
Bautista also ordered military commanders to stay apolitical ahead of the May local and national elections and to constantly engage with the different stakeholders, government and non-governmental agencies, civil society and peoples’ organizations to ensure peaceful, orderly and credible elections.
The military was previously linked to election scandals and cheating and other poll violations. (Mindanao Examiner)
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