The 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division led the monthly meeting of the Regional Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Center (RJPSCC) with the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and the Commission on Elections on November 26, 2024 held at the Administrative Building of Camp Evangelista in Patag, Cagayan de Oro City.
The primary agenda of the RJPSCC meeting was to assess the current peace and order situation in the region in preparation for the upcoming Midterm National and Local Elections in 2025. Moreover, proactive measures and strategies, including contingency plans, troop deployments, and inter-agency collaborations to prevent election-related violence and ensure the smooth conduct of the electoral process, were also discussed.
Col. Cesar J Conte, the Chief of Staff, 4ID, who represented 4ID Commander Major General Jose Maria R. Cuerpo II, welcomed Commodore Vincent Bingbong D Fiesta PCG, Commander, Coastguard District Northern Mindanao, who was accorded a traditional military honor, and PBGen Jaysen C De Guzman, the Acting Regional Director, PRO 10, as Co-Chairman of RJPSCC.
Said meeting was also attended by Atty. Renato A. Magbutay, the Regional Election Director of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Region 10, along with the representatives of the Department of Education (DepEd) Region 10, National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) Northern Mindanao, and the Local Amnesty Board.
In his remark, delivered by Col. Conte, the 4ID Commander stated that the meeting serves as a testament to the strength of collaboration and the collective resolve of every agency to address challenges that threaten the safety and stability of the nation.
Further, he enjoined everyone to strengthen plans and measures to prevent election-related threats amidst the recent killings of two Comelec officials in Lanao del Norte.
“We need to strengthen our plans to prevent such happening. Let us work together effectively by constantly coordinating and adjusting our operations as often as possible to address current and impending threats. Let us work together with the communities to further strengthen and solidify protection, not only of any private or government individuals but the whole community in general,” 4ID Commander said.
