PBBM orders military to ensure peace, order amid election season

The PCO said more than 1,000 firearms, small arms, and light weapons captured, confiscated, and surrendered from 2024 to April 10, 2025 were presented during Marcos’ visit to the troops. (PCO file photo)

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday directed the military to ensure peace and security across the country amid the election season.

Marcos gave the order during his visit to the troops of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division (6ID) at Camp BGen. Gonzalo H. Siongco in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao, according to a Presidential Communications Office (PCO) news release on Friday night.

The President emphasized the importance of military presence and visibility, especially with the ongoing campaigning for the May 12 midterm elections.

On March 19, the Commission on Elections reported a slight decrease from 38 to 36 areas facing serious election-related threats.

“I’m very happy to be able to report to you that we are already in the process of transitioning internal security away from the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) and back to the PNP (Philippine National Police),” Marcos said, as quoted by the PCO.

He lauded the Army’s 6ID for its hard work in bringing peace to the region and for welcoming back former rebels into the fold of the society.

He said domestic stability in areas in Mindanao was achieved because of the government’s peace initiatives.

The PCO said more than 1,000 firearms, small arms, and light weapons captured, confiscated, and surrendered from 2024 to April 10, 2025 were presented during Marcos’ visit to the troops.

Marcos expressed confidence that the PNP can handle the remaining pockets of insurgency in the country.

The Philippine Army earlier said communist insurgents are no longer capable of disrupting or influencing the 2025 midterm elections.

The New People’s Army (NPA) is now “leaderless” and only has one remaining “weakened’ guerrilla front that is expected to be dismantled within the year, the National Security Council said on March 26.