Monday, May 07, 2007 Armm cops seek military support for May 14 polls
POLICE and election officials in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao have sought the help of the military to ensure "peaceful, orderly and honest elections" in the area.
Chief Supt. Joel Goltiao, Armm regional police director, said the agency has insufficient manpower to provide security to voters listed in 1,556 polling precincts across the region.
"We only have at least 6,000 personnel. I have recommended for military augmentation to beef up security at polling precincts," he said.
Approval or disapproval of Goltiao's request is expected within this week.
Armm, composed of the provinces of Maguindanao, Shariff Kabunsuan, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi and the Islamic City of Marawi, has a history of numerous cases of election-related violence in the past.
Vote buying and cheating were reportedly massive in the autonomous Muslim region, an administration bailiwick that contributed to the win of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in the 2004 elections.
Opposition figures continue to question the legitimacy of the Arroyo presidency even after the House threw out an impeachment bid against her.
The so-called "Hello Garci" scandal, which accused Arroyo of calling an election official at the height of the election period, mentioned places covered by the autonomous Muslim region where the alleged cheating occurred. Several ranking military officials allegedly played part in the supposed cheating.
Goltiao said a command conference with the Commission on Elections and the Armed Forces of the Philippines took place early last week.
He added that the regional police have asked their provincial offices to submit a security plan that should be in harmony with the plans of the Comelec and the military.
Comelec-Armm Regional Director Ray Somalipao said military personnel would not be allowed within 50 meters of polling precincts.
Goltiao said that among the six provinces in the region, Lanao del Sur is the top security concern due to numerous election-related incidents.
Next is Sulu owing to the armed conflict in the municipalities of Indanan, Panamao and Parang between government and Moro National Liberation Front forces.
Goltiao said they are also closely watching the newly created Shariff Kabunsuan province for possible occurrence of election-related violence.
At least 700 villages across the autonomous Muslim region have been considered election hotpots. (BSS)
