Arroyo: Support Comelec, Ensure Peace and Order

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo wants the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police to "support fully" the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and provide the "highest level of peace and order," Executive Secretary Leandro Mendoza said Friday.

Mendoza told reporters before the AFP-PNP command conference in Camp Aguinaldo that the President gave the order at the National Security Council meeting in Malacañang Thursday.

He said that the military and police were well prepared for the automated polls.

Meanwhile, AFP chief Delfin Bangit said that they were fully committed in ensuring that credible and peacefull elections would be held.

"Our commitment to deliver credible elections is as solid to our commitment to the Constitution. It is as solid as the Constitution," Bangit told reporters.

For his part, PNP Director General Jesus Versoza said that the elections on Monday would be the "culmination of what we have prepared for since last year."

He noted that no major problems have been encountered so far and the glitches on the machines have been addressed by the Comelec.

Likewise, all forces of the military and police have been deployed to provide security at polling centers, Versoza said.

Nevertheless, the PNP chief reminded the public "not to be carried [away] by negative reports and sensationalized pronouncements."

"We assure you that the AFP and PNP will be there," Versoza said.

Also present during the command conference was Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales who downplayed several text messages alleging that he was behind a ploy, dubbed as "Project Full Moon," to cheat in the upcoming elections.

Gonzales said that three types of text messages have been circulating alleging that he, together with Arroyo, former president Fidel Ramos and DILG secretary Reynaldo Puno were engineering an electoral fraud; he would launch a coup and; he has moved from a "no election" scenario to a "no proclamation" scenario.

"If you give credence to these text messages, I'm sorry for the country," Gonzales said.

Meanwhile, Bangit denied the existence of the "Project Full Moon," saying that it is just to instill fear among the public.
"You have to trust your AFP," Bangit said.

He also denied rumors of a junta or military takeover following the elections.

"The mission of the armed forces after the May 10 election is to respect and support the result of the elections," Bangit said in a separate interview.

"We will always say no to a junta, there will be no military take-over," the military chief added.

Source: Inquirer Breaking News