Ben Madilynn
THE Regional Joint Security Control Center in Western Visayas (RJSCC 6) launched checkpoint operations to enforce election-related measures, including the firearm ban and restrictions on private security personnel, simultaneously with other regions across the country.
The RJSCC 6 is composed of teams from the Commission on Elections in Western Visayas (Comelec 6), the Police Regional Office in Western Visayas (PRO 6), the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division (3ID), the 301st Infantry (Bayanihan) Brigade, and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Western Visayas, who conducted a joint inspection on January 12, 2025, in Iloilo City and Iloilo Province.
The RJSCC 6 will enforce election laws, including the firearm ban and security personnel restrictions, during this period, with checkpoint launches occurring nationwide, emphasizing the RJSCC’s primary role in implementing these laws.
The RJSCC 6’s mandate includes collaboration from regional to municipal levels to ensure peaceful, orderly, and secure elections.
Comelec Regional Director for Western Visayas Lawyer Dennis Ausan led the inspection with PRO 6 Regional Director Police Brigadier General Jack Wanky, 3ID Commander Major General Marion Sison, 301st IB Commander Brigadier General Michael Samson, and Coast Guard Iloilo Station Commander Richard Gura.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will support the Philippine National Police (PNP) in enforcing the election ban, deterring violence, and maintaining peace and order during the 2025 election period.
The election period began on January 12 and concluded on June 11, 2025.
“We are entering the official campaign season. The national campaign starts on February 11, while local campaign activities will begin on March 28 and end on May 10, 2025,” Ausan said.
The team departed PRO 6 Headquarters at Camp Martin Delgado, Fort San Pedro, Iloilo City, at 8 a.m. and began the operations with a jump-off at 8:15 a.m.
The first checkpoint inspection was conducted at Bito-on, Jaro District, Iloilo City, followed by inspections at Barangay Guihaman, Leganes (near Seaoil Gas Station and Glenville), Barangay Maliao, Pavia (near Biscocho Haus), and Barangay Sooc, Arevalo District in Iloilo City (near Sunset Boulevard).
The inspection, which ensures the implementation of election-related security measures, concluded at 9:45 a.m. with the team returning to the PRO 6 Headquarters for a press conference.
The joint team assessed key areas for potential security risks and coordinated measures to ensure the safety of both candidates and the public.
Wanky said the PNP will continue this intensification of police operations, especially with the Comelec checkpoints, and police are in full support.
“This is a critical period, and we are committed to maintaining peace and order throughout the campaign season,” Wanky said.
Sison emphasized the readiness of the military to assist in securing the elections.
“We will work hand-in-hand with the police and Comelec 6 to ensure the sanctity of the electoral process,” Sison added.
Sison noted that Western and Central Visayas have been declared free of Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) influence or Communist New People’s Army (NPA).
“We dismantled the two guerrilla fronts (Southern and Central Fronts), and the 3ID is now gearing toward the declaration of Panay Island as having stable internal peace and security status. Our barangays are all cleared. There are no municipalities influenced or infiltrated by the CTG,” Sison said.
Sison also warned politicians against collaborating with CTGs, describing such alliances as detrimental. “Any support or involvement with CTGs will ultimately lead to your downfall. It is a kiss of death, joining and engaging the CTG,” he said.
He assured Comelec 6 of the Army’s full support, saying, “Rest assured that your Army in Western Visayas will always support Comelec with our resources and activities; we could be of assistance in partnership with the PNP and Philippine Coast Guard.”
Sison also said the Philippine Army in Western Visayas that they will always support the Comelec 6 with their resources, manpower, and logistics.
Gura highlighted the Coast Guard’s role in securing coastal areas, preventing unauthorized entry, and ensuring that no disruptive elements compromise the election process.
“For the Coast Guard in Western Visayas, we have intensified the implementation of mamitame security in the area of responsibility. We assured that with collaboration in the Philippine Ports Authority, there would be more inspections of ports used in the transportation of illegal and explosive materials in connection with the gubban,” Gura said.
Gura said the Coast Guard in Western Visayas is “fully committed” to support and cooperation, especially the personnel joining the Comelec checkpoint.
This joint effort underscores the commitment of Comelec and its deputized agencies to maintain the integrity of the electoral process while safeguarding the public during the campaign period.
The activity marked the official start of the campaign period for the 2025 National and Local Elections (NLE) and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Barmm) Parliamentary Elections (BPE). (Leo Solinap/SunStar Philippines)
