Only 16 out of 49 poll-related cases politically motivated – PNP

Sixteen out of 46 recorded cases of election-related violent incidents (ERVIs) have been confirmed to be politically motivated, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said yesterday.

Chief Superintendent Samuel Pagdilao Jr., PNP spokesman, said 30 other cases, which were initially recorded to be election-related by the National Election Monitoring Action Center (NEMAC), remain under investigation.

PNP records show of the 16 ERVIs, eight cases were recorded in Eastern Visayas, three in Northern Mindanao, two in Central Visayas, and one each in the Bicol Region, Caraga Region and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

From Jan. 14 to April 5 or the first 82 days of the campaign period for the May 14 elections, the PNP recorded 45 ERVIs, with 24 candidates killed and 32 others wounded.

"The data for the 2007 election period reflect a relatively low incidence wherein for a total of 45 incidents, 39 were shooting, one explosion, and two rebel attacks. Twenty-four politicians were killed and 32 were wounded," the PNP records showed.

The PNP reported that during the 2004 presidential elections, a total of 249 election-related violent incidents were recorded from Dec. 15, 2003 to June 9, 2004 or a total of 178 days campaign period.

During the 2004 elections, a total of 189 individuals were killed, 41 of them candidates and 279 were wounded, including 18 candidates.

Pagdilao said the PNP expects ERVIs in this year’s elections to be low compared with the May 2004 elections.

"The May 2004 elections was presidential meaning the campaign period was longer than the May 2007 elections," he said.

PNP chief Director General Oscar Calderon said the police are closely evaluating the security situation in several provinces identified as election areas of concern (EAC).

"I will strongly recommend that some perennial trouble spots be placed under the control of the Comelec to ensure that all election security measures will be effectively implemented with the total cooperation of the concerned local government units," he said.

Calderon cited the recent series of incidents in Masbate where historically violent political rivalry has been prevailing, lately aggravated by hostile activities of New People’s Army rebels.

"Some of these NPA members actually double as private armies or armed goons for some candidates or political interest groups," he said.

The PNP is also keeping a close watch on nine provinces listed as election areas of concern, among them Cagayan, Isabela, Abra, Nueva Ecija, Western Samar, Lanao del Sur, Sulu and Basilan, he added.

Calderon said the PNP might also tap the Armed Forces to assist the police in the coming May 14 elections even if military officials have asked to be spared from election responsibilities to avoid a repeat of the "Hello Garci" scandal in which military generals were accused of being part of massive cheating during the 2004 presidential elections.

"The full might of the PNP will meet all these threats head-on," he said.

On the other hand, the PNP said the killing of Kalinga Vice Governor and gubernatorial candidate Rommel Diasen last Saturday was not politically motivated.

In his report to PNP chief Director General Oscar Calderon, Chief Superintendent Geary Barias, Task Force Usig commander, said police launched a massive manhunt for an 18-year-old Kalinga tribesman, Joel Melod, who was identified by witnesses as the gunman of Diasen.

Melod, a member of the mixed Magnao-Lubuagan tribe, allegedly killed Diasen in an attempt to avenge the killing of Judge Milnar Lammawin, he added.

Barias said Diasen was linked to the murder of Lammawin but the case did not prosper in court.

"We received reports that the suspect was dared by a fellow tribesman and wood gatherer to kill Vice Gov. Diasen to avenge the killing of a local judge a few years ago," he said.

"We also had information that the suspect is a relative of the wife of Diasen."

Police said Lammawin was a member of the Magnao tribe and was killed in an ambush believed to have been perpetrated by rivals from another tribe to which Diasen belonged.

"We are putting more weight on tribal conflict and not election-related violence here," said PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Samuel Pagdilao Jr.

A murder case will be filed against the suspect anytime within the week, he added.

Meanwhile, President Arroyo called for greater community involvement in putting an end to election-related killings as she ordered authorities to mobilize barangay officials to prevent election violence.

"I ask for the full cooperation of our communities in a tripartite operation involving the LGUs, the PNP and the AFP to curb violence under the ambit of Comelec supervision where warranted," she said.

Mrs. Arroyo accused the NPA of "contributing" to the climate of violence in the run-up to the elections through raids on military and civilian targets.

"Let us protect suffrage, freedom of choice and democracy with the full collective will and resources we can muster," she said.

Mrs. Arroyo ordered the PNP and the Armed Forces to solve high profile cases with dispatch and mobilize barangay-based intelligence efforts to prevent violence. – With Paolo Romero, Katherine Adraneda