Police and military personnel under the Davao Oriental Provincial Police Office (DOPPO) and the 701st Brigade, Philippine Army have casted their votes for the local absentee voting facilitated by the Commission on Elections.

Earlier today, a total of 180 police officers casted their votes at the Salva Hall, DOPPO Compound, City of Mati, Davao Oriental. Officers and enlisted personnel of the 701st Kagitingan Brigade also casted their votes yesterday at the 701st Brigade Headquarters, also based in the City of Mati.

Among those who availed the early voting are personnel who are either on duty on the day of the election or those who have election-related duties.

Like their overseas counterparts, local absentee voters can only vote for national positions, namely president, vice president, 12 senators, and a party list group.

Instead of automated counting, their ballots will be canvassed at the COMELEC Main Office in Intramuros, Manila.

Among those who voted were the Provincial Director of the Davao Oriental Police Provincial Office Pol. Col. Efren E. Orlina and 701st Brigade Commander Brigadier General Oliver Maquiling.

Under LAV, voters are allowed to vote in places where they are not registered voters but where they are temporarily assigned to perform election duties on election day, or in the case of the media, who will not be able to vote due to the performance of their functions in covering and reporting on the elections.

Aside from the Philippine National Police and personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, also availing the LAV are personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard, and other government agencies, as well as from the media, who are also qualified to apply for the local absentee voting. By Shaye Dacles