AFP warns of NPA intimidation in barangay polls

CAMP GUILLERMO NAKAR, Lucena City, Philippines  â€“ The military warned yesterday that the New People’s Army (NPA) will intimidate voters to ensure the victory of its candidates in the barangay elections.

In a statement, Armed Forces Southern Luzon commander Lt. Gen. Caesar Ronnie Ordoyo said troops have monitored NPA liaisons working with candidates for barangay posts.

“As in previous elections we have evidence of threat and intimidation, extortion and even murder committed by the NPA on aspiring leaders who do not support them,” he said.

“We ask the community to reject these unlawful acts of the communist NPA and install political leaders who will lead us in our fight against poverty and corruption and help us end the communist-led insurgency in our country.”

In Negros Occidental, provincial election supervisor Jessie Suarez said the proposal to postpone the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections may not be realized due to time constraints.

“Do they have time?” he asked.

Suarez said the bill will go through bicameral hearings and Congress will adjourn on Sept. 28.

“The proposal should have been moved two months ago, right at the start of session of newly elected officials,” he said.

“But if the bill will be certified as ‘urgent’ then there’s still a possibility that it will be passed.” 

Suarez said they just follow orders from the Commission on Elections head office in Manila.

“We just implement,” he said. “We just rely on the central office.”

He is personally in favor of the proposal to postpone the SK election, Suarez said.

A bill of Sen. Ferdinand Marcos II seeks the postponement of the SK polls.

Suarez said that the Comelec has extended the period of filing of certificates of candidacy (COC) for the Oct. 28 barangay and SK elections from three days to six days.

The filing of COCs will start on Oct. 11 to 17 during office hours, he added.

However, filing of COCs will not be accepted on Oct. 13, a Sunday, Suarez said.