Centino to soldiers: Let us stay non-partisan

Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff General Andres Centino on Thursday reminded soldiers to avoid participating in political activities and focus on their job providing security during the elections.

Centino made the statement during his visit to the headquarters of Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) in Zamboanga City.

“Let us stay non-partisan. It is not our job to meddle or join political activities. Let us focus on securing the integrity of the elections and perform the tasks that will be directed to us by the COMELEC,” he said.

Centino advised all unit commanders  to focus on ensuring the safe conduct of the elections.

“In two months, we will be having the national and local elections. The challenge for us is to ensure the safe conduct of the elections. We’ve done this in the past so we already know what to do. My advice to all unit commanders and personnel is to focus on what we are doing and never be [distracted],” he said.

In October 2021, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana reminded soldiers to stay neutral in light of the upcoming polls.

Under the Constitution, the Commission on Elections is empowered to deputize, with the concurrence of the President, law enforcement agencies and instrumentalities of the government during the elections.—Joviland Rita/AOL, GMA News