PNP, AFP tapped to secure Davao de Oro plebiscite

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte directed the police and the military, as well as the other law enforcement agencies and government instrumentalities, to ensure the successful conduct of the December 7 plebiscite for the ratification of Davao de Oro province.

Under Memorandum Order (MO) 42 inked on November 28 but released on Tuesday, Duterte concurred with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in the deputation of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for a referendum on the renaming of Compostella Valley to Davao de Oro.

“Pursuant to Section 2(4), Article IX-C of the Constitution, the Comelec is empowered to deputize, with the concurrence of the President, law enforcement agencies and instrumentalities of the Government, including the AFP, for the exclusive purpose of ensuring free, orderly, honest, peaceful, and credible elections,” Duterte said in the memorandum.

“By virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution and existing laws, [I] hereby concur with Comelec Resolution No. 10616, deputizing the AFP, the PNP, and other law enforcement agencies and instrumentalities of the Government, in connection with the 07 December 2019 Plebiscite in the Province of Compostela Valley,” he added.

On April 7, 2019, Duterte signed Republic Act 11297 renaming Compostela Valley to Davao de Oro.

Presently, Compostela Valley is the only province in Davao Region that does not bear the name “Davao.”

The Davao Region is composed of Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Davao del Sur, and Davao Occidental.

Compostela Valley Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy earlier said renaming the province would mean more investments.

Under RA 11297, changing the name of Compostella Valley to Davao de Oro will need the nod of majority of residents of the province through a plebiscite that will be conducted for its eventual ratification.

Duterte’s MO 42 directs law enforcement agencies and other concerned agencies to “coordinate and cooperate with the Comelec in the performance of their duties and functions.”

The memorandum, signed by Duterte on November 26, takes effect immediately.