12 armed groups in Southern Mindanao under police watch

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Police are monitoring at least 12 armed groups in Southern Mindanao for fear they would be used by politicians in the coming May 2013 mid-term elections.

The armed groups are reportedly involved in criminal activities in the region.

Police, however, refused to identify the armed groups as well as the specific areas where they operate.

Meanwhile, Davao del Sur has been placed under election watchlist status following reports of political bickering in the province.

“Right now we are validating the situation and we will just see what would transpire in the next few weeks. We are assessing the situation first before we declare any area an election hotspot,” Southern Mindanao regional police director Chief Superintendent Jaime Morente told The STAR.

Police and military officials in the province have conducted a series of meetings on security measures for the May 2013 elections.

Gov. Douglas Cagas earlier called for the deployment of additional policemen in the province amid the heated rivalry among the candidates for various posts in the area.

He also urged authorities to neutralize private armies in the province.

Cagas is running for mayor of Digos City while his son, incumbent Rep. Mark Cagas, is seeking the gubernatorial post next year against former governor Claude Bautista.

The political rivalry between Cagases and the Bautistas has turned violent in the past elections.

The Commission on Elections, on the other hand, has yet to declare Davao del Sur under its control.