Troops Foil Ballot Snatching In South RP

JOLO ISLAND (Mindanao Examiner / 13 May) – Government soldiers arrested two men Sunday who tried to snatch two ballot boxes in the southern Philippine island of Jolo, witnesses said.

The men had been taken into custody after a near shootout between the soldiers and policemen who were escorting them.

Military and police officials did not give details about the incident, but dozens of people witnessed the commotion at the island provincial capitol building, where the ballot boxes were stacked.

It was not immediately known whether the men were working for a politician or not and whether their police escorts had been authorized.

Some 45 million Filipinos are to elect their senators, congressmen and local officials on Monday for the synchronized national and local polls.

Philippine elections are traditionally bloody and violent. Police said more than 100 have been killed in poll-related incidents across the country. (Mindanao Examiner)

Photo: Philippine Navy Officer Antonio Trillanes IV

A picture of a detained coup leader, navy officer, Antonio Trillanes IVis displayed inside a tightly guarded Philippine Air Force base in Zamboanga City. Trillanes is running for senator in May 14 elections with politicians opposed to President Gloria Arroyo's rule. Trillanes is one of many military officers accused of trying to oust Arroyo during the so-called Oakwood mutiny on July 27, 2003. (Mindanao Examiner Photo Service)

2 Killed, 5 Wounded In Ambush In South RP

Policemen in the Muslim autonomous region in southern Philippines are deployed to help ensure clean and peaceful elections on May 14, 2007. (Mindanao Examiner Photo Service/Mark Navales)

COTABATO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 12 May) - Two people were killed and five others injured in firefight between policemen and gunmen in the southern Philippine province of Maguindanao, military and police reports said.

Gunmen attacked the car of Mayor Salaban Diocolano, of Kabuntalan town, killing one man. The attack also injured three policemen, a civilian and the politician near the village of Tabiran.

One of the attackers was also killed in ensuing firefight, police said.

No group claimed responsibility for the attack, but authorities suspect it was politically motivated. Diocolano is running for re-election.

Police said more than 100 people had been in poll-related violence across the Philippines.

Some 45 milllion Filipinos are to elect their senators, congressmen and local officials in Monday’s national and local polls.

Elections are traditionally violent and bloody in the Philippines because many politicians maintain private armies and goons.

Aside from these private armed groups, communist insurgents and rebels are also actively operating in the countryside and have been reported collecting “protection” money from politicians. (With reports from Mark Navales and Juan Magtanggol)

Troop Deployment Sa Halalan, Wala Ng Atrasan!

QUEZON CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 03 May) - Hindi nagpatinag ang Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) sa mga pag-angal hinggil sa muling pagkilos ng militar upang magbantay sa halalan sa Mayo 14.

Katwiran ni AFP Chief of Staff General Hermogenes Esperon, Jr., hindi naman maaaring balewalain ang matitinding sitwasyon sa ilang mga lalawigang nangangailangan ng ayudang puwersa nito para tiyakin ang mapayapang eleksyon tulad ng Abra, Nueva Ecija at Masbate.

Itinakdang malimitahan na ang papel ng militar sa panahon ng eleksyon sa ilalim ng umiiral na memorandum of agreement sa pagitan ng Commission on Elections (Comelec) at Department of National Defense (DND).

Ngunit, lumilitaw ngayon na mapapakilos muli ang AFP sa pagbabantay sa eleksyon bunga na rin ng paglala ng election related violence.

Kasabay nito, hinamon pa ni Esperon ang oposisyon at mga maka-kaliwang grupo na linisin ang pag-iisip dahil hindi maikokompromiso ng mga pagdududang may gagawing pandaraya ang militar sa pagtupad nito ng tungkulin.

"What's wrong about being tapped to assist the police in Nueva Ecija when we know that there are some things that have cropped up there? Do you want just to lay off because of the suspicions of the primarily of the leftist groups and the opposition that we would do something about the elections?" ani Esperon.

"We are the first to say that we do not want anything to do with the elections but now we are being tapped. This is a national resource that can do something good," dagdag ng heneral.

Samantala, wala naman umanong dapat patunayan pa si Esperon makaraang makaladkad sa kontrobersyal na "Hello Garci" na naghayag ng kinalaman ng militar sa dayaan noong nakalipas na 2004 elections.

"I have been cleared and my conscience is clear, if I was mentioned in a tape then what really have they proven and I'm saying I did not do anything there," ayon pa kay Esperon. (Juley Reyes)

Kampanya Kontra Dayaan Sa Eleksyon, Barado Sa AFP Chief

QUEZON CITY - HINDI nakakuha ng buong suporta sa liderato ng Sandatahang Lakas ng Pilipinas ang diskarte ni National Capital Region Command Chief Major General Mohammad Ben Dolorfino para sa kampanya kontra dayaan sa eleksyon.

Kasunod ito ng pag-aatas ngayon ni AFP Chief of Staff General Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. na ilaglag sa prayoridad ng militar ang advocacy para sa malinis na halalan tulad ng isinasakatuparan ni Dolorfino.

Pinasimulan na ni Dolorfino ang paglilibot sa industriya ng pamamahayag upang ikampanya ang responsableng pagboto at matahimik at malinis na eleksyon.

Ayon kay AFP Public Information Office Chief Lieutenant Colonel Bartolome Bacarro, bagamat walang masama sa hangarin ni Dolorfino, hindi nito ang prayoridad sa direktiba ni Esperon sa mga area commander ng militar.

"We will have less time for that (information campaign)," ani Bacarro.

Sa ngayon aniya, abala ang AFP sa paghahanda sa posibilidad na pakilusin ito ng Commission on Elections (Comelec) upang makatuwang ng Philippine National Police (PNP) sa pagbabantay ng halalan. (Juley Reyes)

AFP, HINDI PAAWAT SA KAMPANYA KONTRA DAYAAN SA ELEKSYON

QUEZON CITY – WALA NA UMANONG MAKAKAPIGIL sa Armed Forces National Capital Region Command (NCR Command) sa inilulunsad nitong kampanya kontra dayaan sa halalan sa harap ng maraming pagbatikos sa kanilang hakbang.

Ayon kay AFP NCR Command Chief Major General Mohammad Dolorfino, hindi paglabag sa Omnibus Election Code ang simpleng panawagan sa publiko na pumili ng maka-Diyos at epektibong lider, gayundin sa responsableng pagboto at malinis na eleksyon.

Ikinatwiran nitong hindi naman nag-eendorso ng kahit sinong kandidato ang militar kung kayat hindi ito matatawag na electioneering at pinaninindigan ang pagiging non-partisan.

Paliwanag pa ni Dolorfino, idinadaan nito sa media ang kampanya at hindi naman sa mga bara-barangay upang hindi mapagdudahan o mabahiran ng pulitika ang kanilang hakbang.

"Next week we will be advocating for honest, orderly and peaceful election and also for responsible voting, then the week before election we will make final preparations for preemptive monitoring of the conduct of elections so that we can make the elections transparent and in the process make it credible and we can also nip on the bud attempts to conduct irregularities," hirit pa ni Dolorfino.

Sinabi pa ng heneral na magsasayang lamang ng panahon at pasweldo ng taumbayan kung tutunga ang mga sundalo sa halip na kumilos para ikampanya ang malinis na eleksyon.

"Bakit kami binabatikos? Ayaw ba nila na magkaroon ng honest, orderly and peaceful elections.Bakit electioneering ba pag sinabi ko na vote for somebody who is God fearing? Is it wrong pag sinabi ko na vote for somebody who can give justice to the people? Is it wrong if I say that vote for somebody who is physically, morally and intellectually qualified?

“Is it wrong if I say na vote for somebody is known as a good leader. Tama yung sinabi kanina na as long as you are doing right, you can never go wrong," lintanya ni Dolorfino. (Juley Reyes)

RP Military Warns Politicians Against Use Of Violence

ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 06 Apr) – The Philippine military on Friday warned politicians against using violence in the May polls, saying, security forces are ready to confront them to ensure peace and honest elections.

Citing an agreement the Department of National Defense signed last year with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), military officials said that soldiers would be used to ensure elections are not hampered by the presence of rebels and terrorists in areas where they are actively operating.

Officials said troops would help police forces to maintain peace and order following the spate of election-related violence in the country the past months.

“The AFP continues to actively address the threats pose by the New People’s Army, the secessionist and terrorist groups. The AFP units, once deputized (by the COMELEC), shall make available necessary manpower to support to the peacekeeping efforts of the Philippine National Police to deter election-related violent incidents and ensure peaceful and orderly elections,” said Maj. Eugene Batara, a regional army spokesman.

“The AFP, PNP and COMELEC jointly call on individuals and groups to abstain from the use of violence in furthering their political ambitions as the AFP and PNP will be ready to confront them head-on,” he said.

Just last week, unidentified men tossed two grenades at the house of an election officer in Marawi City in Lanao province in Mindanao. The blast damaged the house, but there were no reports of injuries or casualties from the attack.

Gunmen also attacked with small rockets the house of a town mayor in Dimataling in Zamboanga del Sur province on the other side of Mindanao. And violence has been reported in many other places in Mindanao, the central Philippines and in Luzon.

Last month, motorcycle gunmen ambushed and killed a politician who was running for the mayoralty race in Maguindanao province.

Dozens of people people had been killed in poll-related violence across the country where Filipinos are to elect their senators and congressmen and local officials on May 14.

Elections in the Philippines, particularly in the Muslim autonomous region, are traditionally bloody. Many politicians maintain private armed goons to harass their opponents and intimidate voters. (mindanaoexaminer.com)

BANTAY HALALAN 2007: List Of Senatorial Aspirants For May Elections In Philippines

Filipinos are to choose only 12 senators in the May 2007 elections and 80 aspirants have signed up with the Commission on Elections.


NO: NAME: PARTY: PROFESSION: AGE:

01 LOZANO, Oliver O. KBL Lawyer 66

02 CHAVEZ, Melchor G. KBL Journalist 55

03 PINERA, Rummel M. Independent Businessman 35

04 RONQUILLO, Daniel M. Imee Marcos/Boy Abunda Automotive Electronic, Pinoy Rock Singer, Composer 46

05 AQUINO, Theodore M. Independent Civil Engineer 58

06 ATIENZA, Arturo Independent Businessman 61

07 ESMERALDA, Julieto Jr., O. Independent Pastor/Businessman 53

08 TIQUI, Camilo V. Independent Retired Military Pilot, Farmer 71

09 BRIGGS, Buenafe A. Independent Semi-Retired 56

10 VILLANUEVA, Vicente Independent Businessman 42

11 COMBATE, Amado C. Independent Discoverer/Inventor 65

12 FORTES, Alfredo A. Independent Caretaker (Backyard Piggery) 49

13 ANCHETA, Juanito Jr., B. Independent Mason, Carpenter 39

14 ORPILLA, Eduardo F. KBL Retired PNP Officer/Businessman 59

15 HASHIM, Mujahab A. KBL Self Employed 63

16 BULANON, Silverio Independent Security Services 50

17 ESCUDERO, Francis Joseph G. Nationalist People's Coalition Lawyer/Representative, 1st District, Sorsogon Province 37

18 GUILLERGAN, Gherry Pro-Preamble (Pabukas)Perpetual Versatile Scientist 44

19 ROCA, Cesar Independent Seaman, Tricycle Operator 47

20 ROQUE, Benjamin Independent Jobless 54

21 RAMIRO, Vincent M. Independent Bachelor Degree in Agriculture/Secondary Education 30

22 PIMENTEL, Aquilino Dela Llana PDP Laban Lawyer 43

23 CLAUDIO, Felix D. Independent Self Employed 65

24 PONCEE-DEE, Remedios B. Independent Developer,Writer 63

25 ENCISO, Ruben C. KBL Journalist 59

26 TRILLANES, Antonio IV., F. Independent AFP Officer 35

27 SANTOS, Victor L. Independent Self Employed 55

28 HONASAN, Gregorio B. Independent Former Senator 58

29 TUAZON, Elpidio G. Independent Teacher III, Consultant Gamesman 61

30 MALUENDA, Severo Jr., L. Independent Agriculturist 71

31 ESTRELLA, Antonio L. KBL International Lawyer 56

32 ZUBIRI, Juan Miguel F. Lakas Christian-Muslim Democrats Legislator/Businessman 37

33 COSETENG, Anna Dominique Independent Businessman 54

34 PASTORAL, Genaro R. Independent Seaman 41

35 LEGARDA, Loren Nationalist People's Coalition Journalist 47

36 AQUINO, Benigno Simeon III C. Liberal Party Congressman, 2nd District Tarlac 47

37 OSMENA, John Henry C. United Opposition Real Estate Investor 72

38 SENINING, Loreto Y. Independent NONE 33

39 OROZCO, Wilhelmina S. Independent Writer-Media Practitioner 56

40 BAUTISTA, Martin D. Ang Kapatiran Physician 44

41 SISON, Adrian O. Ang Kapatiran Lawyer, Broadcaster 50

42 PAREDES, Zosimo Jesus II Ang Kapatiran Lawyer/Government Official 58

43 REMOTO, Danton R. Ladlad Associate Professor in English, Ateneo University, Xavierville
43

44 PICHAY, Prospero Jr., A. Lakas-CMD Congressman 56

45 ABITONA, Orlando C. Independent Farmer, Public School Teacher 69

46 ROCO, Sonia M. Aksyon Demokratico Educator 62

47 SOTTO, Vicente Castelo III Nationalist People's Coalition Businessman/TV Host 58

48 ORETA, Teresa Tao Aquino Nationalist People's Coalition Legislator 62

49 CAYETANO, Joselito P. KBL Marine Engineer 41

50 ARROYO, Joker Paz Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino Lawyer 80

51 CANTAL, Felix C. PGRP Economist/Businessman 57

52 LAGATA, Merlito Independent Retired AFP 63

53 PANGILINAN, Fracis N. Liberal Party Lawyer, Incumbent Senator 43

54 RECTO, Ralph Gonzalez Lakas Senator 43

55 PETILLA, Carlos Jericho L. Lakas CMD Provincial Governor 43

56 ANGARA, Edgardo Javier LDP Senator/Lawyer 72

57 DEFENSOR, Michael Tan Lakas CMD Businessman/Former Public Official 37

58 MAGSAYSAY, Vicente P. Lakas NONE 67

59 SINGSON, Luis Crisologo Lakas CMD Provincial Governor, Ilocos Sur 65

60 LACSON, Panfilo Morena United Opposition Senator 58

61 GOMEZ, Richard Icasiano Nationalist People's Coalition Businessman 40

62 CAYETANO, Alan Peter S. Nationalista Party Lawyer/Congressman 36

63 VILLAR, Manuel Bamba Jr. Nationalista Party Senator 57

64 KIRAM, Jamalul D III PDSP Businessman 68

65 CABRERA, Rafael Independent Businessman 62

66 DEL MUNDO, Gerardo Independent Lawyer 65

67 BER ADO, Bonifacio B. Independent Auto Mechanic 63

68 TAYCO, Marcelo R. Independent Barangay Chairman, Pasay City 57

69 WOOD, Victor KBL Actor/Singer 60

70 JOSON, Dante Independent Civil/Geodetic Engineer 47

71 ONGKIKO, Mario E. Ang Kapatiran Lawyer 75

72 PASTOR, Macariola A. Independent Insurance Salesman 84

73 RODRIGUEZ, Romeo Independent Engineer 48

74 BOQUIA, Jocelyn R. Independent Insurance Underwriter, Office Secretary 38

75 ROBES, Jose Independent Businessman 72

76 FLAMINIANO, Eduardo People's Reform Party Lawyer 73

77 TAJANAN, Francisco Independent Ph.D. in Economics, Consultant,Professor 74

78 CAPULAN, Elizabeth Independent Bachelor of Science in Nursing 52

79 MENDEZ, Agapito Jr. Independent License Broker 62

80 PO, Manuel A. Independent Businessman 70 Actor

Cesar Montano replaces Gov. Petilla, who backed out from the government ticket Team Unity. (Mindanao Examiner)


SOURCE: Bagong Botante http://www.bagongbotante.com