Pols told Don’t engage armed groups

COMELEC Provincial Supervisor Eddie Aba said they will not hesitate to go after candidates doling out money in exchange for support or protection from private armed groups.
Aba, who met with representatives of the National Grid Power Corporation of the Philippines (NGPC) and major telecom companies yesterday, said Comelec will immediately investigate candidates giving illegal contributions to armed groups. He made this assertion amid reports that one of the four gubernatorial candidates has allegedly given money to the New People’s Army (NPA).
“We have not yet received that kind of report, but we will never tolerate action like that. We won't let them solicit any sums of money for them to be allowed to campaign,” he added.
PNP Regional Intelligence Division chief Supt. Paul Labra II yesterday told reporters that they received raw intelligence reports that a gubernatorial candidate in Cebu paid the New People’s Army (NPA) in the 3rd district.
“Not only here in Cebu, but we also received similar reports in Bohol,” Labra said.
The amount given to the NPA was to assure support for the candidate, said Labra.
“There’s a gubernatorial candidate who gave the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), National Democratic Front (NDF), New People’s Army (NPA) in exchange for their support”, Labra said.
The money was purportedly handed over early this year, he added.
He refused to name the candidate, saying they are still validating the intelligence report.
Labra said police are intensifying intelligence work on the reported presence of 10 other private armed groups (PAGs) operating in Central Visayas.
Aba said the poll body will tap the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) if they receive a formal complaint on the matter. He said it is unfair for the other candidates who cannot pay and succumb to the demands of the rebel group.
“We have Republic Act 9006 (the Fair Elections Act) to place all candidates in equal footing,” he said.
“We will never allow this to happen in the province of Cebu. It is a form of extortion so all politicians should not succumb to this kind of action,” added Aba.
Meanwhile, Aba assured the voting public that there will be no power interruptions on election day.
He said he coordinated with authorities from the NGPC and has already prepared contingency plans if ever problems occur on May 13. /Peter L. Romanillos and Chito O. Aragon, Correspondents