Abra politicians defying task force; won’t disarm

By Dexter A. See

BANGUED, Abra — Half of provincial and local officials in this conflict-stricken province have blatantly defied the order of the Presidential Task Force versus Private Armed Groups (PAGs) to give up their firearms for clean, honest, orderly and peaceful elections this May.

Right before members of the Zenarosa Commission, Rep. Cecilia Luna admitted she has a number of licensed firearms in her custody but said the weapons are meant to safeguard her family from political rivals and are not being used to advance her personal and political interests.

At the same time, Luna said she has six bodyguards, more than the two allowed by the Regional Joint Election Security Command Center, because of alleged serious threats to her life since becoming the representative of the lone district of Abra in 2007.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo created the task force against PAGs headed by retired Court of Appeals Associate Justice Monina Zenarosa to dismantle private armies being maintained by politicians nationwide to ensure automated elections in the country this May will be orderly and peaceful.

Although it sent invitations for consultations, the Commission said almost 50 percent of provincial and municipal officials in Abra did not appear during a recent gathering it organized in the province, prompting observers and religious leaders to express doubts over the officials’ sincerity to uphold clean, honest, orderly and peaceful elections.

While those who attended the consultations signed a manifesto reiterating their commitment to make the elections peaceful, the Commission said there is a need to revisit Abra before the elections.

The Commission on Elections is considering to place Abra and eight other provinces under its direct control during the elections to prevent political violence.

Abra, has a bloody history of political killings during the past decades.