AFP on red alert for 2019 midterm polls

The Armed Forces of the Philippines has placed its troops on red alert beginning 8 a.m. Friday, three days ahead of the May 2019 midterm elections.

"The AFP is on red alert status starting 8 a.m., May 10, in support to the Commission on Elections, and the Philippine National Police in the upcoming national and local Elections," AFP chief General Benjamin Madrigal Jr. was quoted as saying in a statement.

"This declaration is to ensure that our troops and all AFP personnel are ready to act on any emergency and thwart all possible threats that may arise. We are ready to respond appropriately for the honest, orderly, and peaceful conduct of elections," Madrigal added.

The same statement said that on Tuesday, a total of 98,000 AFP personnel were deployed to augment the poll body in "areas that need services and assistance from security forces to ensure a safe and secure election." 

The Comelec earlier said that a total of 1,196 areas have been identified as poll hot spots.

All areas in Mindanao were earlier placed under election hot spots as category red (areas of grave concern).

Three areas have been placed under Comelec control —Daraga City, Cotabato City and Moises Padilla town. The areas have been placed under the poll body's immediate and direct control and supervision due to its history of intense political rivalry that could result to violence.

Of the 1,196 areas declared as hotspots, a total of 85 areas are under the category red (areas of grave concern).

A total of 706 areas are under category green (generally peaceful and orderly), while the rest are either in category yellow (areas of concern) or orange (areas of immediate concern). — RSJ, GMA News