Politics cause pull out of 47IB in Dumarao
ROXAS CITY – Dumarao Mayor Leslie Warren “Beboy” Benjamen said that the request to pull-out the 47th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army (PA) from their town was to ensure clean, honest, orderly, non-partisan and peaceful 2010 election.
Benjamen made the clarification after the army detachment was transferred from Dumarao to Cuartero by virtue of the resolution of the Sangguniang Bayan.
In the resolution’s whereases, it was stated that there had been instances in the past, where military commands had been observed to have abetted, instead of arrested, election-related abuses, violence/atrocities. These usually occurred when those deployed/posted in the detachments/checkpoints fell prey to the opportunings of unscrupulous politicians, or became vulnerable to material or akin favors offered by them. These men in uniform, in due time, developed close familiarity with either of the contending political groups/candidates and in the discharge of their functions, became biased/partial in the latter’s favor.
“Such has unfortunately been the public impression thrown at the 47th IB stationed in Dumarao, Capiz whose officers – in- charge have been perceived to be engaged in partisan politics and have developed close familiarities with those who are running for elective positions in the forthcoming local elections, judging by their conduct/comportment and associates,” the resolution also said.
Meanwhile, Benjamen said in a radio interview that he lauded some efforts of the soldiers for the past several years however, he noticed that some of them, particularly its detachment commander, were always seen with his opponent.
The Dumarao mayor is referring to Victor Tanco, Jr., son of Gov. Victor Tanco, Sr., who is running for mayor under the banner of Liberal Party (LP).
On his part, Gov. Tanco said in the same radio station that Benjamen moved to oust the 47th IB since he has goons and armed group thus, he doesn’t want the soldiers to remain in Dumarao.
Benjamen strongly denied he has goons and armed group in his town.
Benjamen, who is the son of the late former mayor Heracleo “Bebot” Benjamen, is facing the younger Tanco in May 2010 election in mayorship. Both older Tanco and Benjamen are second cousins.
