PNP watch closely 5 Iloilo mayors having private armies
Five mayors of Iloilo province are now under tight watch for allegedly maintaining their own private armed group (PAG).
But PNP Regional Director Chief Supt. Isagani Cuevas refused to name these politicians claiming that the report is still subject for validation.
“We don’t want their names be tainted with any report. It might not be the rightful time. We might also be violating their rights,” he said.
Cuevas added that they continue validating the report and doing surveillance operations.
“We are working to thwart formation of private armed group and for immediate dismantling of existing ones, if there are any,” he claimed.
Meanwhile, Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) chief Senior Supt. Renato Gumban stated that these politicians are combination of incumbent and former mayors.
Four of these mayors belonged to towns under Category 1 of election watchlist of areas of concern while one is in Category 2.
Earlier, the PNP identified 16 areas in Iloilo province to be under election watchlist of areas of concern.
Elections hotspots that are regarded as Category 1 are Anilao, Dueñas, Estancia, Maasin, Passi City, San Enrique, and Tigbauan.
Category 2 areas are Bingawan, Calinog, Guimbal, Igbaras, Lambunao, Leon, Miag-ao, Tubungan, and San Joaquin.
An area is considered Category 1 if it has high possibility of election-related violent incidents (ERVI) while those at Category 2 area areas with history of ERVIs, intense political rivalries and active movement of armed rebels.
Gumban debunked reports, though, of another town mayor keeping a private armed group.
“For a mayor to have a private armed group, it needs confirmation of intelligence units. But if there are persistent rumors, we would look closely into it,” Gumban said.
The provincial police chief also stripped the names of Mayor Bienvenido Margarico of Janiuay and Mayor Alex Centena of Calinog as the ones keeping private armed groups.
