PNP, AFP want Abra out of Comelec control

By Dexter A. See

BANGUED, Abra – The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines want this conflict-stricken province out of the control of the Commission on Elections in the May 2010 elections because of improvement in peace and order with commitment of local politicians to uphold clean, honest and orderly elections.

Before making the recommendation, ranking police and military officials who visited the province threatened by hard-headed politicians who insist on violent and coercive practices during elections, said they will not hesitate to apply the full force of the law on them once they are found to be employing election malpractices.

Director Eugene G. Martin, head of the PNP’s Directorate for Intelligence, said erring politicians who refuse to comply with lawful practices have no place in the province.

But he added they are giving consideration to the officials’ commitment for a peaceful elections, thus, recommendations are being made to remove Abra from the list of prospective election hot spots next year.

According to Martin, Abra and Maguindanao are included in the nine provinces which are considered as election hot spots because of their history of election-related violence over the past several decades.

However, the PNP official said reduction of election-related violence in May 2007 and the disbandment of the nine private armed groups serving as bodyguards for erring politicians is being evaluated as major grounds for the delisting of the province in the list of hot spots for next year’s elections.

Another factor which is boosting the chances of the delisting of Abra from the Comelec control is the expected low election-related violence since most of local officials in the municipal level are said to be running unopposed.

For his part, Brig. Gen. Romel Gomez, commanding officer of the 5th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, warned local politicians it will be dangerous for them to continue to employ the services of hired guns since it might make a backlash on them if they could no longer sustain their demands in the future, thus, it is still best to uphold clan, honest and orderly elections.

He said greed for power is forcing politicians to employ violence just to intimidate and coerce their constituents and their rivals which is not a good example for the present and future generations.

Gomez said delisting of Abra from the list of election hot spots will allow the military to be able to deploy their forces to other areas which need their services.

The AFP official revealed they will not hesitate to deploy more forces in the province if some erring politicians will continue to patronize violent elections in order to teach them appropriate lessons since violence is not a guarantee for good governance and better living conditions for the people, especially in the countryside.