DND invites international defense community to observe RP polls

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of National Defense (DND) has invited members of the international defense community to observe the conduct of the upcoming elections to dispel speculations that the administration will use the military to manipulate election results.

“I want the whole world to see how our Armed Forces will protect our election which is fundamental to any democracy,” Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales said in a statement.

“There is really a proliferation now of groups that seek not simply to watch the conduct of our election, but to really convince our people that our armed forces, our police and the Comelec (Commission on Elections) cannot be trusted. We will prove them wrong.”

In 2005, some military generals were alleged of rigging the results of the 2004 presidential elections in favor of President Arroyo after their names were mentioned in the wiretapped conversations supposedly revealing the poll fraud.

Massive cheating

In a report titled “Sins of the Cavaliers” a group of rebel soldiers claimed that when votes were being canvassed in Jolo, military officers asked poll watchers to leave the canvassing area in exchange for cash.

The report claimed massive cheating also took place in Zamboanga, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi and other areas of Western Mindanao.

In 2006, a fact-finding committee headed by then Vice Admiral Mateo Mayuga cleared military generals of involvement in the alleged poll irregularities.

Cleared were then Army chief Lt. Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, then Southern Command chief Maj. Gen. Gabriel Habacon, retired Lt. Gen. Roy Kyamko and retired Brig. Gen. Francisco Gudani.

Critics, however, continue to distrust the military because generals dragged into the controversy were not punished. Instead, they were promoted and given important government positions. 

‘Army will only prevent violence’

The Philippine Army also assured the public that the soldiers to be deployed in Metro Manila will only be there to prevent election violence. 

“I assure our priests that our soldiers know their limitations. They are providing support to the PNP (Philippine National Police) because they lack personnel. Our commanders have reminded our troops to observe human rights,” Army spokesman Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres, Jr. told radio dzBB.

On Friday, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines public affairs chief Bishop Deogracias Iniguez said troop movement in the metropolis could be a sign of a looming worst-case election scenario.