Army steps up polls security in 10 Panay villages
The Philippine Army is stepping up its security monitoring operations in at least 10 rebel-infested villages in Panay as the election period for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections on October 25 starts tomorrow.
Brigadier Gen. Gerardo Layug, commander of the 301st Infantry Brigade based in Dingle, Iloilo, said they want to thwart the practice of New People’s Army of extorting money from candidates who want to campaign in areas influenced by rebels.
Five of these barangays are in Tapaz town in Capiz while the other five are in Igbaras and Calinog towns in Iloilo.
“These 10 villages are hinterland barangays. The presence of the NPAs is concentrated in these areas, that’s why we are focusing our efforts on them come the barangay and SK polls,” Layug said.
He said the communist rebels are expected to intensify their “permit to campaign” activities, and they may also field or support candidates.
“History points to these instances but we call on the candidates not to give in to the extortion demands of the rebels,” Layug said.
In rebel-affected areas, the elections serve as fund-generating activity for the rebel movement, he added.
Layug, however, said the Army forces in these areas will not limit their operations in these barangays.
“We would still conduct security operations in other areas visited by armed insurgents,” he added.
During the 45-day election period, from September 25 to November 10, carrying of firearms and other deadly weapons and the use of bodyguards are banned.*
