|
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Ex-poll official hiding in Maguindanao: MILF
By Al Jacinto
ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on Tuesday said the former poll official accused by the opposition of fraud in last year's elections is hiding in the southern province of Maguindanao.
The MILF, which is currently negotiating peace with Manila, said former Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano even met with reporters near one of its jungle bases. But it was quick to say that the MILF never coddled Garcillano.
Khaled Musa, deputy chairman of the MILF's committee on information, said in the group's website that Garcillano is being protected by another armed group in Maguindanao.
He did not identify the group who is protecting Garcillano, who surfaced last week--after five months in hiding--to deny accusations that he conspired with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to rig last year's presidential elections in her favor.
Musa said the MILF will not meddle with government affairs. "Even if Garcillano asked for help, the MILF will not be a position to help (because) it does not meddle with the internal affairs of the government," Musa said.
Other sources said however that Garcillano is hiding in Lanao del Norte province, near Maguindanao, and is being coddled by an influential political clan.
Garcillano is allegedly being guarded by armed men in one of the many fishpond areas in the province, but he would usually meet with reporters elsewhere for interview.
Opposition politicians have linked President Arroyo to the alleged fraud. And she has strongly denied any wrongdoing, but did admit talking to an election official during the counting of votes for the May 2004 national elections.
Garcillano admitted speaking with Arroyo on the phone, but denied charges that she ordered him to rig the elections to win over opposition candidate Fernando Poe Jr. "I tell you and I swear that there was no such thing as rigging last year's elections," he said.
The release of audiotapes containing alleged wiretapped conversations between Arroyo and Garcillano triggered a widespread call for the President to resign and sparked an impeachment complaint in Congress, which was later dismissed.
Garcillano said he is willing to face any inquiry to deny all the charges and clear his name and that of the President.
Former senator Francisco Tatad said Garcillano was spotted November 23 in Zamboanga Sibugay Province with Jose Miguel Arroyo, the President's husband, and several politicians and poll officials.
Persistent reports last week claimed Garcillano was in Cotabato City, but police and military officials there said this was not true.
The President's husband also denied allegations that he met with Garcillano and called on the opposition to stop peddling lies and start helping government in nation building.
"The country is now moving forward. Let's just work together for the nation," he said.
Tatad said Garcillano returned on November 18 to the country through the southern backdoor from Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia.
Garcillano said he went into hiding for fear of his safety, but did not flee the country. But Singapore said Garcillano arrived there on a Subic Air Lear jet on July 10 and left the following day for London.
Tatad said Garcillano also stayed in hotels in Zamboanga City, Pagadian, and Cagayan de Oro and have been going from one place to another.
Garcillano's name did not appear in any of the hotels mentioned by Tatad.
Tatad said he has documents detailing Garcillano's activities from the day he went into hiding until he returned to the country and has a witness who is willing to testify on this information. (Sun.Star Zamboanga/Sunnex)
(November 30, 2005 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
|
|
[return to top]
[home]
|
|
House to resume 'Hello Garci' inquiry next week