By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – About 16,000 police officers are set to be deployed for the first parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) on Oct. 13, newly installed acting chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez said on Wednesday.
Nartatez said the PNP is exerting all efforts to prevent poll-related violence, with the Police Regional Office (PRO) – BARMM closely monitoring groups that might threaten peace and security in the region during the elections.
“I was there supervising the operation and giving direction to the operations of the BARMM. Of course, BARMM parliamentary elections will push through on Oct. 13. Matutuloy iyon (That will push through). About 16,000 additional forces to the current strength of the PNP, including other law enforcement units (will be deployed). Kung kulang, dadagdagan (If needed, we can add more) upon our recommendation to the (Commission on Elections or Comelec),” he said during a press briefing at Camp Crame.
In accordance with a Comelec resolution, a gun ban began in the region on Aug. 14 and will last until Oct. 28, or the election period for the BARMM polls.
“Pagka-election, iyan naman ang gagawin natin. Guns, goons, and gold. Pinag-aralan na rin natin in the past, ilan at sino ang gumawa ng karahasan doon sa area at kung anong area (That’s what we do during elections. Guns, goons, and gold. We have studied in the past the people spreading violence in the area, how big are they, and what areas),” Nartatez said.
Earlier, 94 towns/municipalities in the BARMM have been placed under the “red” category or areas of grave concern.
Two towns – Buluan in Maguindanao del Sur and Datu Odin Sinsuat in Maguindanao del Norte – are under Comelec control due to violence, but the poll body said the declaration may be lifted soon.
Under Comelec Resolution 11149, prohibited during the election period are the bearing, carrying, or transporting of firearms or other deadly weapons, unless authorized in writing by the poll body; use of security personnel or bodyguards by candidates, unless authorized in writing by the commission; and organization or maintenance of reaction forces, strike forces, or similar forces.
The poll body also prohibits the suspension of elective provincial, city, municipal or barangay officials; transfer or detail of officers and employees in the civil service, except upon prior approval of the Comelec; and alteration of the territory of a polling precinct or the establishment of a new precinct.
Violators may face imprisonment of one to six years, without probation; disqualification from holding public office and loss of the right to vote; and deportation for foreigners after serving the prison term.
Covered by the Comelec resolution are the provinces of Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, and Tawi-Tawi; and BARMM’s eight new municipalities (Pahamuddin, Kadayangan, Nabalawag, Old Kaabakan, Kapalawan, Malidegao, Tugunan, and Ligawasan), known as the Special Geographic Area in North Cotabato. (PNA)
