Namfrel Lanao head linked to opposition

Two top officials of the National Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) linked yesterday the group’s Lanao del Sur chairman, who has come out to allege fraud in the 2004 elections, to the political party of the late Fernando Poe Jr.

In a joint statement, Namfrel chairman Jose Concepcion Jr. and secretary general Guillermo Luz said FPJ’s Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KNP) paid all the expenses of Hajji Abdullah Dalidig, Namfrel’s Lanao del Sur head, to come to Manila and take part in its press conference.

In a memorandum dated June 10, Luz said Dalidig sought Concepcion’s permission to travel to Manila at the invitation and expense of the KNP.

Concepcion, according to Luz, "advised him against it as that would be interpreted as a partisan activity." Despite this, Dalidig took part in the KNP-sponsored press conference.

Dalidig has alleged fraud in Lanao del Sur in the 2004 elections based on his analysis of the election returns and municipal certificates of canvass.

Luz said they have advised Dalidig "against issuing any press statements or holding press conferences... pending a full investigation of the data."