By Miriam G. Desacada
Tacloban City–A total of 113 soldiers in Eastern Visayas was officially deployed by the 8th Infantry “Stormtroopers” Division (8ID) to Negros Oriental to help secure the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE), particularly in that province, this coming Oct. 30.
8ID assistant Division Commander, Brig. Gen. Perfecto P. Peñaredondo, led the send-off ceremony of the troops, the composition of which was randomly picked from the division’s 14th Infantry Battalion, 46th Infantry Battalion, 52nd Infantry Battalion, and 78th Infantry Battalion.
The send-off ceremony was held at the Tactical Operations Group (TOG)-8 Airforce Headquarters in Tacloban City on Wednesday (Oct. 17).
Peñaredondo said the company-sized composite troops will be placed under the operational control of Tanjay City, Negros Oriental-based 302nd Infantry “Achiever” Brigade, which is under the jurisdiction of the 3rd Infantry “Spearhead” Division, based in Jamindan, Capiz.
In his send-off message,Peñaredondo emphasized the vital role of the troops who will serve as an additional force in securing a free, orderly, honest, peaceful, and credible BSKE in Negros Oriental.
“Malaki ang inyong magiging kontribusyon sa pagpapangalaga ng demokrasya at pagsisiguro na ang boses ng mga mamamayan ay mapakikinggan,” Peñaredondo told the soldiers, as he also urged them “not to loosen their guard and stay vigilant.”
He further reminded them to be apolitical and maintain among themselves the discipline, professionalism, and respect for human rights as they perform their sworn duty as a deputized arm of the Comelec in securing fair and honest elections in that province, which had been troubled by political violence earlier this year. —-Miriam G. Desacada