7,500 Army reservists tapped for poll duty

About 7,500 Army reservists will be deployed in urban centers nationwide to keep the peace during the elections on May 10.

Army commander Lt. Gen. Efren Abu told reporters yesterday the decision was reached with the approval of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), and after a series of consultations with various sectors.

"With this move, the regular troops will now be deployed in more critical places, especially in rural areas," he said.

Cadets of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) will also be sent to guard polling centers in less critical areas, Abu added.

Speaking at the Army’s 107th founding anniversary at Fort Bonifacio in Makati City yesterday, Abu also warned military adventurists that they face severe punishment if they try to destabilize the government.

"The Philippine Army shall impose heavy sanctions on any group with such self-serving intentions, for these only disorient our people and squander the hard-earned gains of democracy," he said.

"Recently and regrettably, we have seen a diversion from the ideals of our heroes with the emergence of adventurist groups.

"Politicized and fueled by personal crusades, these groups have debased the legacies of our heroes, the tradition of the military institution and the very constitutional duties of the Filipino soldier to protect the people against the oppression of the powerful," Abu said.

He asked the Magdalo group of junior military officers who launched the failed uprising on July 27 last year to help bring back the "culture of loyalty" to the military service.

"Let us not be too benefit-oriented," he said. "After all, we are here for the benefit of our country and the people."

Abu also banned the holding of anniversary celebrations by field units as part of the Army’s belt-tightening measures to save financial and logistical resources.

"From now on, there will be only one anniversary celebration — the Philippine Army headquarters celebration," he said.

Meanwhile, the party-list group Alliance of Volunteer Educators (AVE) asked the government yesterday to protect from violence teachers serving as election inspectors, especially those in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Bicol Region, Southern Tagalog, Eastern Visayas, Central Luzon and the Socsargen region.

"We demand an assurance from both Malacañang and the Commission on Elections that teachers would be amply protected as they perform their duties as election inspectors across the country," said Dr. Eulogio Magsaysay, AVE secretary-general.

"We wonder what precautions are now being made by the government and the Comelec. While teachers are very ready to serve the people in the coming elections, we would not like to be thrown at the fire."

On the other hand, an alliance against political dynasty in Cagayan Valley warned Isabela Gov. Faustino Dy yesterday that arming barangay officials with shotguns could cause violence on election day.

"Contrary to Governor Dy’s pronouncement, the issuance of shotguns to village officials will not lessen crimes like cattle rustling, theft and robbery in the villages," said Betty Aquino, convenor of the Citizens’ Alliance for Reforms in the Election 2004 in Isabela (CARE 04 Isabela).

"We are concerned that arming village officials will worsen these crimes and will sow violence, especially in the coming elections.

"We strongly suspect that the armed local officials will be employed by Governor Dy to suppress the freedom of Isabela people to freely elect a candidate of their choice." CARE 04 Isabela said Dy has been issuing statements that the arming of barangay officials is within the law, despite the police crackdown on private armies.

"Governor Dy is acting like a true warlord that he is," the group said. "Arming local officials is an act of a typical traditional politician that uses goons, guns and gold to desperately cling to their position.

"We challenge the PNP to look into this matter for the sake of the safety of Isabela. Governor Dy is only fortifying his political dynasty by arming village officials. It is clear that his move is for his political interest and not the interests of the people of Isabela."