With assurances from police and military authorities, Mayor Beng Climaco said security in Zamboanga City is in place with the implementation of Oplan (operation plan) Plebisito in line with the scheduled Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) plebiscite in the autonomous region and some neighbouring provinces today, January 21.

Mayor Climaco convened a meeting of the security forces to present contingency measures in Zamboanga City for the plebiscite that will ratify the BOL or Republic Act 11054 and based on Resolution 10453 of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC).

During the meeting, Police Regional Director PCSupt. Emmanuel Luis Licup provided his guidance to the plans presented and committed to provide troop augmentation for the region.

Climaco said the safety of Zamboanga City is primordial and the Task Force Zamboanga and the Zamboanga City Police Office combined forces will provide continued security.

She called on the security sector to do everything in its power to guarantee the safety and protection of Zamboanguenos even if Zamboanga City is not part of the January 21 electoral exercise.

The City Joint Security Control Centers, in close coordination with COMELEC and other law enforcement agencies, will also conduct support operations in the implementation of election laws in the joint area of operation for a free, honest and peaceful plebiscite, according to Mayor Climaco.

The BOL plebiscite is slated for today, Monday, January 21 in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and in the cities of Isabela and Cotabato. Another plebiscite is set for February 6 in Lanao del Norte, Aleosan, Carmen, Kabacan, Midsayap, Pikit and Pigkayawan towns in North Cotabato and other areas that sought inclusion in the proposed Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Malacanang has issued proclamartion 646 declaring January 21 a special non-working day in the ARMM and the cities of Isabela and Cotabato to enable residents to vote in the BOL plebiscite. (Sheila Covarrubias)