'Vote wisely, heartily. But stay away from communist-backed bets'
A last-minute appeal for the Ilonggo voters was made by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) here with a "heartfelt" message - "Please go out and vote. And while at it, stay away from communist-backed candidates. Do not vote for any of them."
And fear not too, athe AFP said, for both the police and the military are all out today to ensure that the sanctity of the votes cast will be safeguarded.
"We are already in position. The AFP units throughout Western Visayas are in their respective areas of responsibility," Captain Lowen Gil Marquez, commanding officer of the AFP's 3rd Civil Relations Group told The News Today (TNT). "So this appeal and advice to our countrymen to vote according to their conscience. And vote according to the vision that you have for your barangay."
The AFP's last-minute message was matched though with last-minute incidents reported in areas of concern. Captain Marquez acknowledged that the last hours prior to the holding of the elections are usually the toughest in terms of security.
"The communist-terrorists are out there for that. They are after all the number one pestilence of the country," he quipped. "But we still have to vote and vote wisely and heartily."
Captain Marquez in a press conference Friday named candidates the AFP believed were backed and endorsed by the communist hierarchy. A number of those named hit back at Marquez and came out with similar denials.
Iloilo had some 20 reported bets whose identities and communist linkages were confirmed in two government raids of communist lairs.