Wesmincom told: Ensure honest elections in Sulu

MANILA, Philippines - Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Delfin Bangit has ordered the Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) to ensure honest and peaceful elections in Sulu, where massive election fraud was believed to have taken place in 2004.

AFP spokesman Lt. Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr. said Bangit gave the directive during his visit to Jolo the other day to supervise the construction of a trauma center for soldiers.

“Sulu has been identified as one of the critical areas due to the possible eruption of violence. The Abu Sayyaf group is also there. That is why he (Bangit) wants the troops to intensify the operations there,” he said in Filipino.

“He directed the commanders to go after the private armed groups considering that Sulu has always been an election hot spot,” he added.

Since Sulu is vulnerable to attacks, patrolling in the area will be more frequent and pursuit operations against armed groups will be more aggressive, Burgos said.  

He said Bangit also reiterated to Wesmincom officials the crucial role of the military in the upcoming polls as well as the need to remain insulated from politics. 

“The Armed Forces will play a huge role in the elections… The AFP should remain apolitical and non-partisan. We need to coordinate with the Philippine National Police to run after the private armed groups that seek to coerce the voters,” Burgos said.

Burgos said the military will continue to work with government agencies and other stakeholders to promote transparency and to curb attempts to manipulate the results of the May 10 polls.

“Those involved in cheating will be discharged from the service after observing due process. We are confident that our soldiers are ready and will stay true to our oath that we will remain non-partisan,” Burgos said.

In 2005, some military generals were accused of poll fraud after their names were mentioned in wiretapped conversations that supposedly described the way the 2004 elections were allegedly rigged in favor of President Arroyo.

In a report entitled “Sins of the Cavaliers,” a group of rebel soldiers alleged that while the canvassing of votes was being done inside military camps in Jolo, poll watchers were given cash by officers for them to leave the canvassing area.

The report alleged that massive cheating also took place in Zamboanga, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi and other areas in 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.