Friday, January 19, 2007 Comelec to limit militayr's deputization of functions By Ruby P. Silubrico
THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) would limit the deputization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) especially on conducting checkpoints and other functions in relation to the May 2007 elections.
Comelec Regional Election Director, Renato Magbutay revealed that there is a limitation on the functions and duties of the AFP because some of them are being used by some politicians, as per instruction of Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos.
"Policemen and soldiers remain neutral during election," Magbutay said.
The Comelec also bared three primary functions of the PNP/AFP during election, which is deployment of troops, conducting checkpoints and enforcement of gun ban.
Enough personnel would be deployed in areas identified by the Comelec as seriously threatened, and then checkpoints would be conducted to arrest gun ban violators.
In conducting checkpoints, the approach of the personnel should be in a polite manner and explain to the person why he or she is being frisked. It should be in well-lighted areas, being led by a police official and they are not drunk.
On the other hand, Magbutay said that they had not yet identified areas considered as hotspots. This will be determined it if there's already a filing of candidacy. It depends on the personality of the candidates and if the place has a history of election related incidents.
Tapaz in Capiz is not yet considered as a hotspot even after Vice Mayor Victor Gardose and his companions were shot dead following his pronouncement that he is running for mayor in their town.
