Camp Lapulapu, Cebu City – To boost its monitoring on the deployment of security forces for the Barangay and SK Elections and other election-related events that will transpire throughout the Visayas region, the Visayas Command (VISCOM) activated the Election Monitoring Center (EMC) at its Headquarters in Camp Lapulapu, Cebu City, two days before BSKE 2023.
VISCOM’s EMC will have a direct line of communication with all the established Election Monitoring Action Centers (EMAC) from the regional down to the municipal level. It is equipped with high-end communication and IT equipment to ensure unhampered communication, especially during the election day.
“The Election Monitoring Center provides us with direct communication to our units on the ground, allowing us to have real-time information and updates on the situation, especially during the election. This will also ensure smooth coordination between and among security forces, and the COMELEC to expedite our response in case of any eventualities that may occur during the election,” Lieutenant General Benedict M Arevalo PA, the Commander of VISCOM, emphasized.
VISCOM’s EMC will facilitate coordination with the PNP, the Phil. Coast Guard, and the COMELEC at the regional level. It will also oversee the deployment of security personnel to the polling centers in the entire Visayas region, monitor other election-related events or incidents as well as the progress of the electoral process during election day.
Likewise, the center will also receive and refer to appropriate agencies and AFP units complaints against security personnel manning the polling centers.
“We are geared towards ensuring the safety and security of our people and the success of the upcoming electoral process. Hence, all available resources will be utilized to ensure that we will achieve our objective. Rest assured that VISCOM, as your reliable Armed Forces here in the Visayas, will remain committed to fulfilling our mandate for the country and its people,” Lt Gen Arevalo concluded.
The EMC will be manned by the Army, Navy and Air Force Officers and Enlisted Personnel under VISCOM, to ensure an effective interoperability to respond in case of any eventualities. The EMC will be open 24/7 starting Saturday, in time for the COMELEC’s activation of their Command and Operations Center.
