Newly elected public officials in Central Mindanao have praised the Army’s 6th Infantry Division and the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region for maintaining neutrality during joint election security operations in the May 12 polls. Reelected Cotabato City Mayor Mohammad Ali Matabalao expressed gratitude to the officials of the 6th Infantry Division and PRO-BAR for the tight security provided at polling centers across all 37 barangays in the city. The polling sites were secured by teams led by Col. Jibin Bongcayao, the city police director, along with his superior, Brig. Gen. Romeo Juan Macapaz, regional director of the Bangsamoro police, and personnel from the Marine Battalion Landing Team 5. The newly elected governors of Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur, Datu Tucao Ong Mastura and Datu Ali Omar Midtimbang, said that soldiers and policemen promptly resolved tensions among voters supporting rival candidates. The 6th Infantry Division’s election security efforts were supported by the media community in Central Mindanao, as well as various Muslim and Christian peace advocacy groups. The canvassing of election returns for the gubernatorial and vice gubernatorial races in Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur was held at the headquarters of the Army’s 6th ID in Camp Siongco, and was reportedly peaceful and accomplished without hitches.
