Thursday, April 19, 2007 Comelec frets over effects of Sulu conflict to May polls By Ulysses E. Israel
THE regional office of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for Zamboanga Peninsula expressed concern over the possible spillover of hostilities in the ongoing conflict between the military and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) group led by Ustadz Habier Malik in the region.
Comelec Regional Director Helen Aguila Flores told reporters the possible spillover of the ongoing skirmishes in the island province of Sulu will affect the holding of elections in the nearby provinces, including Zamboanga City.
She said the possibility that the "areas of concern" or hotspots will increase looms, especially in the coastal island villages in the city.
There are reportedly 10 known "areas of concern" already identified in Zamboanga City. These areas are located in the group of islands near the Sacol Island, considered the jump-off point of lawless elements.
The Comelec regional chief expressed apprehensions that the ongoing manhunt of Commander Malik and his men by the military would spread to neighboring towns and provinces and to areas where Malik might have supporters and sympathizers.
Armed Forces Chief Hermogenes Esperon earlier said the military has uncovered the plan of Malik's groups to escape from the island. Esperon has offered a P1 million bounty for Malik's capture.
Another Comelec official who requested anonymity said: "We are not discounting the possibility of spillovers as the affected residents in Sulu have relatives here."
"Their escape from the conflict areas becomes inevitable, it will certainly create problems for us, come Election Day," he said.
The recent skirmishes in the province of Sulu was reportedly triggered by the mortar attacks launched by Commander Malik, who has about 300-500 armed followers, against a military detachment and municipal building.
Malik, according to reports, launched the attack in retaliation to a raid conducted by the military in pursuit of the Abu Sayyaf leaders and Indonesian bombers Dulmatin and Umar Patek.
An estimated of 8,500 families have fled their homes for fear of being caught in the cross fire as offensive against Malik's group continues in Sulu.
