Norie Unas shows the certificate of candidacy of Muslim autonomous region Governor Zaldy Ampatuan, who is seeking reelection set in Augsut 11, 2008. (Mindanao Examiner Photo/Mark Navales).ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / June 3, 2008) – A southern Philippine mayor has urged the government to remove from Zamboanga City the headquarters of the Commission on Elections for the Muslim autonomous region for fear that the presence of opposing politicians could bring about troubles and security problems.
Mayor Celso Lobregat fears that opposing politicians could pose a problem in Zamboanga City. He called on the poll body to transfer its headquarters in areas covered by the Muslim autonomous region. “Zamboanga City is not even part of the autonomous region,” he said.
The Muslim autonomous region is composed of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao, Maguindanao and Shariff Kabunsuan provinces, including the cities of Lamitan and Marawi in the southern Philippines.
Lobregat made the calls after dozens of armed policemen and soldiers escorted Norie Unas, who represented Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan, of the Muslim autonomous region, in filing the politician’s certificate of candidacy on May 29 in Zamboanga City.
Ampatuan was not able go to Zamboanga City because he accompanied President Gloria Arroyo who visited Tawi-Tawi province. Ampatuan, an ally of Arroyo, is seeking reelection which is set on August 11.
The security escorts, armed with automatic weapons, were also spotted outside a hotel where Unas’ group was billeted. Unas’ group also caused a huge traffic jam outside the elections headquarters near the Zamboanga City International Airport, witnesses claimed.
But Vidzfar Julie, deputy regional elections chief, said the Commission on Elections is a Constitutional body and is not under the Muslim autonomous region. “We are not under the Muslim autonomous regional government and we will continue to hold office in Zamboanga City unless the Commission of Elections in Manila tells us to transfer,” Julie told the Mindanao Examiner.
The presence of a huge number of armed security forces from the autonomous region had worried many officials in Zamboanga City. Local politicians usually go around with only one or no bodyguards at all, while government officials from nearby provinces bring only two or three uniformed security escorts.
Followers of warring politicians from the Muslim autonomous region had previously clashed in Zamboanga City. (Mindanao Examiner)
Mayor Celso Lobregat fears that opposing politicians could pose a problem in Zamboanga City. He called on the poll body to transfer its headquarters in areas covered by the Muslim autonomous region. “Zamboanga City is not even part of the autonomous region,” he said.
The Muslim autonomous region is composed of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao, Maguindanao and Shariff Kabunsuan provinces, including the cities of Lamitan and Marawi in the southern Philippines.
Lobregat made the calls after dozens of armed policemen and soldiers escorted Norie Unas, who represented Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan, of the Muslim autonomous region, in filing the politician’s certificate of candidacy on May 29 in Zamboanga City.
Ampatuan was not able go to Zamboanga City because he accompanied President Gloria Arroyo who visited Tawi-Tawi province. Ampatuan, an ally of Arroyo, is seeking reelection which is set on August 11.
The security escorts, armed with automatic weapons, were also spotted outside a hotel where Unas’ group was billeted. Unas’ group also caused a huge traffic jam outside the elections headquarters near the Zamboanga City International Airport, witnesses claimed.
But Vidzfar Julie, deputy regional elections chief, said the Commission on Elections is a Constitutional body and is not under the Muslim autonomous region. “We are not under the Muslim autonomous regional government and we will continue to hold office in Zamboanga City unless the Commission of Elections in Manila tells us to transfer,” Julie told the Mindanao Examiner.
The presence of a huge number of armed security forces from the autonomous region had worried many officials in Zamboanga City. Local politicians usually go around with only one or no bodyguards at all, while government officials from nearby provinces bring only two or three uniformed security escorts.
Followers of warring politicians from the Muslim autonomous region had previously clashed in Zamboanga City. (Mindanao Examiner)
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