Poll clan wars prompt tighter security in South

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines  – Security have been tightened in island provinces in western Mindanao to avert clashes among clans vying for positions in the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections next month.

A total gun ban, the military said, has been strictly enforced in the region, particularly in the island provinces of Tawi-Tawi, Sulu, and Basilan, and in critical areas in the Zamboanga peninsula and the two Lanao provinces where loose firearms continue to proliferate.

Lt. Gen. Ben Dolorfino, commander of the Armed Forces’ Western Minda­nao Command, said they have yet to assess the exact number of villages considered as areas of concern during the upcoming polls. 

“Based on the previous national and local elections, the areas considered as areas of concern have been reduced. However, since the barangay elections are considered more critical, (the number) may have increased, but we have to assess (the situation) before coming up with the exact figure,” Dolorfino said.

However, Dolorfino said the full implementation of the gun ban would preempt any violence among rival candidates in the barangay polls.

Lawyer Helen Aguila-Flores, Commission on Elections (Comelec) regional officer, said the barangay and SK races have been regarded as hotly contested in western Mindanao and elsewhere in the Zamboanga peninsula as relatives and family members are fighting for the same positions.

She said the Comelec, the police and military would reactivate the Joint Security Control Center to monitor the full implementation of the gun ban and security of the barangay elections, just as they did in the past national and local polls.