By Ed General
Inquirer Mindanao
First Posted 14:23:00 01/16/2010
Filed Under: Elections, Eleksyon 2010, Firearms, RP peace process
JOLO, Sulu, Philippines—The Commission on Elections (Comelec) should reconsider its decision to exempt members of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (Cafgu), Civilian Active Auxiliaries and the Special Civilian Active Auxiliary from the election gun ban, Rep. Munir Arbison said Saturday.
"Exempting the (militia groups) from the gun ban would be like giving a killer the murder weapon of his choice. And with the private armies, warlords and the like (would have) freedom to terrorize civilians once again," he said.
Arbison said in most cases, these militia organizations are used to further the interests of the people who control them, mostly politicians. "There are civilian volunteers, Cafgus and other paramilitary personnel being used by politicians for their personal interest as private armies," he said. Although he did not name a particular politician this time, Arbison had earlier accused Gov. Abdusakur Tan of using his powers as administrator of the state of emergency in the province to boost his reelection bid.
The state of emergency was implemented in Sulu following the January 2009 kidnapping of Andreas Notter, Mary Jean Lacaba and Eugenio Vagni. Under the state of emergency, Tan oversees the anti-Abu Sayyaf operation in Sulu that also involves hundreds of militiamen, soldiers and police officers. Arbison is Tan’s rival in this year’s gubernatorial race. "These militia forces are more often than not being used only as cover for the private armies of local warlords," he said.
Tan has denied using militiamen to boost his candidacy. He said he did not mind being accused of using the militiamen against his rivals because there was no truth to it. Tan said his administration was busy ridding the province of criminals and kidnappers, including the Abu Sayyaf, and petty election issues did not bother him at all.
Arbison said there was really no need for the Comelec to exempt Cafgus and other paramilitary organizations from the gun ban because “the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines are more than capable to handle the peace and order situation during the election period.”
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net
