More troops sent to secure special polls in Lanao Sur

ILIGAN City — The 601st brigade last Sunday sent troops to augment the 103rd Brigade in Lanao del Sur to ensure peaceful special elections in the seven towns that failed to hold the local and national elections last May 10, 2010. In a text message to GMANews.TV, 601st brigade commander Col. Leo Ferrer, through his Civilian Military Officer Major Dennis Cuaresma, said the troops he sent would augment soldiers and police forces in Marawi City. Earlier, the Philippine National Police (PNP) of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has also prepared their troops to secure the conduct of the special polls. The Commission on Elections (Comelec) had declared failure of elections in the municipalities of Sultan Domalondong, Lumba Bayabao,Masiu, Tubaran, Lumbaca-Unayan, Marogong and Bayang (all in Lanao del Sur). These towns have 70,000 registered voters. The Comelec initially set the special elections last May 29, but some sectors of the Muslim community asked to move it to June 3 because the original schedule was a Friday, a holiday for Muslims. — Ric Clet/LBG, GMANews.TV