Manila, April 3 -- Military and election officials are ramping up coordination with key stakeholders to ensure peaceful and orderly elections in areas of concern in Maguindanao del Sur, an Army official said Thursday.

Brig. Gen. Edgar Catu, commander of the 601st Infantry Brigade (601Bde), underscored the importance of synchronized efforts between government agencies, security forces, and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in securing the May 12 midterm polls.

"Coordination is essential to maintain order and protect the integrity of the elections," Catu said in a statement.

The 601Bde's area of responsibility (AOR) includes six municipalities in Maguindanao del Sur -Shariff Aguak, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Mamasapano, Shariff Saydona Mus...