10 armed groups still active in Abra-PNP

By DEXTER SEE

CAMP DANGWA, LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Authorities of the Philippine National Police here said that at least 10 private armed groups are still active in Abra.

They said these groups might case disruption of the May 14 elections.

The police reported to the Commission on Elections the 10 private armed groups have at least 127 members and led by 11 known personalities, including politicians, who are their financiers or protectors.

However, names of alleged protectors of financiers of the private armed groups was withheld by Camp Dangwa PNP officers.

Records showed the PAGs in Abra are used to help in the campaign of some politicians and provide security to the politicians and the immediate members of their families.

It was learned that monitored activities of PAG members included harassment of voters, who are not supportive of the politicians the PAGs are serving.

The police said it is only in Abra where some politicians employ the services of armed groups in order to advance their political careers.

It was learned that the PAG members are holders of unlicensed firearms.

Since the creation of Task Force Abra, the PAGs were monitored to have lain low. This came as a result of the sustained checkpoint operations as well as improved police visibility in the province.

Though their movements are restricted, the PAGs still have the capability to created disturbance in the coming elections, officials said.

Earlier, Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr. ordered the new leadership of the Task Force Abra to pres the campaign to neutralize the PAGs in the province so that there will be honest, orderly, and peaceful elections in the province.

Despite the clamor by some Abra politicians to disband Task Force Abra, the House of Representatives’ committee on peace and order asked the Comelec to retain the police unit in the province, noting it has been doing a good job in the maintenance of peace and order in the province.

Abra was placed under Comelec control due to a series of violence resulting in the killing of several people, including La Paz Mayor Marc Ysrael Bernos, Board Member James Bersamin and Rep. Luis Bersamin.

Concerned multi-sectoral groups in Abra have expressed objection to the sudden change in the leadership of the Task Force Abra, saying the PAGs are expected to resume their harassment activities if they perceive that the task force has weak leadership.