Anti-private army panel chairman known this week

MANILA, Philippines - The head of the independent commission tasked to dismantle private armies in the country will be known this week, Malacañang said yesterday.

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said President Arroyo has already chosen a retired Supreme Court justice as chairman of the panel but the appointed official had requested to defer the announcement since he is still abroad.

“We are respecting his (independent commission chairman) request,” Remonde told the state-run Radyo ng Bayan.

Mrs. Arroyo last week named the six members of the commission created last December by virtue of Administrative Order 275.

The appointees are Butuan Bishop Juan de Dios Pueblos, representing the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP); Mahmod Mala Adilao, representing the Bishops Ulama Conference; Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) president Herman Basbano, representing the media; retired Brig. Gen. Jaime Echevarria of the Association of Generals and Flag Officers (AGFO); retired police Deputy Director General Virtus Gil; and Dante Jimenez of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC).

Remonde reiterated the President’s resolve to dismantle private armies in the country following the Nov. 23 Maguindanao massacre blamed on the Ampatuans in the province.

“The commission is given very broad powers to investigate, to tap all the agencies of government with the end-view of being able to finish its work of investigating, prosecuting –if necessary – and submitting its final recommendations for executive action before the May elections,” he said.

Remonde said the public is expected to support the panel’s mission.

“We have many patriots willing to serve for the good of our country,” he said.

Under the AO, Mrs. Arroyo has granted investigative powers to the commission, including the power to summon witnesses and take testimony or evidence relevant to its investigation.

Authorities have already identified the existence of private armies in Maguindanao, Basilan, Sulu, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Samar, Masbate, Nueva Ecija and Abra.

“The Department of Justice (DOJ) shall prioritize the prosecution of members and leaders of such private armed groups, with a view to their conviction at the soonest possible time,” the AO said.