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)