Military joins clean election campaign

With just over a month before the May 12 midterm elections, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Commission on Elections (Comelec), and Philippine National Police (PNP) have intensified their coordinated efforts to ensure a secure and credible electoral process.

- Michael Punongbayan, Emmanuel Tupas, Rhodina Villanueva

On Friday, the three agencies formalized their partnership by signing a memorandum of agreement at the Comelec headquarters in Intramuros, Manila. Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia spearheaded the ceremonial signing alongside PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil and AFP vice chief of staff Lt. Gen. Jimmy Larida, who represented AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr.

“As stipulated in this agreement, (we are) committed to ensuring that the 2025 national and local elections are conducted in a free, orderly, honest, peaceful and credible manner in adherence to the Constitution,” said Larida.

Meanwhile, Col. Xerxes Trinidad, AFP public affairs office chief, said the agreement reflects the military’s non-partisan approach and readiness to execute election-related responsibilities with professionalism and neutrality.