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Friday, May 04, 2007
Rebels not asking campaign fees from bets: police
By Grace L. Plata
DAVAO CITY -- The Davao City Police Office (DCPO) has not received any report of New People's Army guerillas asking campaign fees from candidates for the May 14 elections.
Pinoy Votes: Sun.Star Election 2007 Coverage
DCPO Chief Jaime Morente said there were no reports of such activities even in hinterland barangays where the rebels operate.
Morente said this is contrary to previous elections when candidates were asked to shell out a certain amount to be able to campaign in rebel-infested areas.
"There has been a report of that in Compostela Valley through a text message but when we verified, it turned out to be fake and not true," said Major Querubin Manalang, Police Regional Office-Southern Mindanao information officer.
Manalang urged the public to report such incidents with the promise that police will immediately act on them.
Task Force Davao (TFD) Chief Alan Luga, meanwhile, prohibited TFD personnel from receiving gifts in cash or in kind at checkpoints.
The strict instructions came as an aftermath of an expose by a giant network's local news program on the prevalent incidents of bribery at checkpoints involving some TFD personnel.
"I have issued instructions to immediately arrest those caught receiving or picking up bills dropped by any vehicle at checkpoints," Luga said.
He said a mobile TFD checkpoint will be patrolling around the city not only as added safety for the people but to prevent such incidents from occurring again.
Security tightened
Security measures in Davao City as well as the whole of Southern Mindanao have been beefed up as May 14 draws near.
In Thursday's I-Speak forum, Morente said a conference was held between military and police officials for the deployment of personnel, especially in areas of immediate concern.
"These security measures include escorting the delivery of the election paraphernalia as well as their retrieval and also securing the board of election inspectors," Morente said.
Manalang said the region has no areas of concern but has 444 barangays that are areas of immediate concern.
"Areas of immediate concern are those where there is serious armed threat from rebels but what we do not have are areas of concern that have conflict spurred by politicians to influence election results," Manalang said.
In Davao City, areas of immediate concern are in the second and third congressional districts, specifically Paquibato, Marilog, Calinan, Toril and the border between Bunawan and Panabo City.
The city center, which is part of the first congressional district, has no areas of immediate concern.
2 cops per precinct
Morente said two policemen will be stationed per polling place on election day but the number will be greater if the area is of immediate concern.
"The (military) is on the sidelines and will also closely monitor the proceedings so that it could help should the police need back-up," Morente said.
Morente added that they will secure areas with cell sites to prevent arson incidents, which armed groups usually do during the voting and canvassing, as communication during these times are crucial.
"We have the numbers of those manning the cell sites so that they will be monitored always and we will be able to immediately respond should anything happen," Morente said.
TFD is set to increase the number of checkpoints in the city's entry points. It will also secure the Tugbok and Calinan area.
The 73rd IB will secure other areas in the region that cannot be covered by police and will be deploying about 8,000 personnel including those on reserve.
Luga said these coordinated efforts of the police and the military are made to ensure the safety of Southern Mindanao’s more than two million voters. (Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Davao. (May 4, 2007 issue)
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