AFP urged to check alleged electioneering of officer

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The vice mayor of Barira town in Maguindanao is asking the Armed Forces of the Philippines to investigate the alleged electioneering activities of Col. Ernesto Aradanas, commander of the Army’s 603rd Infantry Brigade.

Vice Mayor Alex Tomawis said the AFP should look into Aradanas’ “illegal” involvement in the just-concluded barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections in Maguindanao.

Tomawis said Aradanas has acted illegally in the execution of his duties during the recent barangay and SK polls.

He accused the colonel of entering the municipal hall of Barira just as the distribution of ballots was ongoing on the day of the Oct. 25 elections.

Tomawis said Aradanas also demanded for the distribution of the ballots for Barira and Buldon towns to be made in Sultan Kudarat.

In a text message to reporters, Aradanas, however, claimed that there was an official written order from the Comelec stating that the Buluan capitol satellite office be made as the hub for the second district of Maguindanao and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan office in Sultan Kudarat as the hub for the first district where the towns of Barira and Buldon belong.

“From these hubs, all ballots and election paraphernalia for the districts are supposed to be consolidated and from there distributed to the towns. Only Alex Tomawis did not follow this directive and plan,” Aradanas said.

As to his presence inside the municipal hall when distribution was ongoing, Aradanas said he was there as the head of the election security force and that he was deputized by Comelec.

“Tomawis failed to realize that he was the one not authorized to be there. I was there during the distribution of ballots only.”

Aradanas, last week, texted several journalists regarding the action they have taken against Tomawis whom the officer accused of commandeering ballots intended for Barira and Buldon. The colonel said Tomawis was accosted at a checkpoint in Sultan Kudarat town with the ballots.