Viscom activates monitoring center for village polls

CEBU CITY – The Armed Forces Visayas Command (Viscom) has activated its Election Monitoring Center (EMC) at its headquarters in Camp Lapu-Lapu here.

The EMC will boost Viscom’s monitoring on the deployment of security forces in the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections and other election-related events throughout the Visayas.

THE Visayas Command has activated its Election Monitoring Center for the barangay elections on Monday, October 31. (Viscom)

The EMC will have a direct line of communication with all the established Election Monitoring Action Centers (EMAC) from the regional to the municipal level.

Lt. Gen. Benedict M Arevalo, commander of Viscom, said the EMC is equipped with high-end communications and Information Technology equipment to ensure unhampered communication especially during Election Day.

Manned by the Army, Navy, and Air Force officers and enlisted personnel under Viscom, the EMC is open 24/7.

“The Election Monitoring Center provides us with direct communication to our units on the ground, allowing us to have real-time information and updates on the situation, especially during the election. This will also ensure smooth coordination between and among security forces and the Commission on Election (Comelec) to expedite our response in case of any eventualities that may occur during the election,” said Arevalo.

The EMC will facilitate coordination with the police, the Coast Guard, and the Comelec on the regional level. It will also oversee the deployment of security personnel to polling centers in the Visayas, monitor other election-related events or incidents, as well as the progress of the electoral process during Election Day.

The center will also receive and refer to appropriate agencies and AFP units complaints against security personnel manning the polling centers.

“We are geared towards ensuring the safety and security of our people and the success of the upcoming electoral process. Hence, all available resources will be utilized to ensure that we will achieve our objective. Rest assured that Viscom, as your reliable Armed Forces here in the Visayas, will remain committed to fulfilling our mandate for the country and its people,” said Arevalo.