No more poll duties for
AFP in 2007: Cruz

FORT ANDRES BONIFACIO - The possibility that members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines may no longer perform election duties starting the 2007 synchronized elections is no longer remote.

Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz yesterday said his recommendations that the AFP will no longer be allowed by the Executive Department to perform election duties, except only in extreme cases where there is a direct and serious armed threat to the electoral process that is beyond the capability of the National Police, and other law enforcement agencies, have already been "approved in principle" by President Arroyo and the National Security Cluster in the Cabinet.

As a consequence, the canvassing of votes should not be allowed inside military camps, soldiers should no longer be tasked to act as security escorts to candidates, count the votes, or transport ballot boxes, election paraphernalia and results, Cruz in his speech during the 109th founding anniversary celebration here yesterday said.

He said that the utilization of soldiers as security escorts to government civilians and government officials "detracts from our ability to insulate the military from partisan politics"

He said the Constitution provides that the Comelec has the power to deputize the AFP during elections, but added that this must be with the concurrence of the President.

Several top military officials, including Army chief Hermogenes Esperon, SOUTHCOM chief Gabriel Habacon and retired Lt. Gen. Roy Kyamko, have been linked to the alleged irregularities in the 2004 elections, which they all denied vehemently.

Military records show that the Philippine Army has recalled all soldiers acting as security escorts to civilians and politicians, pursuant to RA 6957 which gives the PNP the responsibility of providing security for government officials, visiting dignitaries and private individuals.

Apart from insulating soldiers from partisan politics, the new policy will help them to meet the required personnel fill-up for the infantry battalions engaged in the conduct of internal security operations consistent with the "Battalion Upgrade Program", Cruz said.

Cruz also reiterated his call for civilians to refrain from meddling in purely military affairs nor draw the soldier away from his mission and ask him to perform other tasks.

He also reminded soldiers that the military organization is not a democracy.

When a soldier takes his oath, he shuns all partisan political activity except to cast his vote during elections, he claimed.

Cruz also chided what he calls "self-proclaimed messiahs" who seduce soldiers by presenting themselves, if not the entire military organization itself, as saviors of the nation.*GPB

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Candoni mayor happy
with new cop chief

Candoni Mayor Liberty Manzano yesterday said she is happy that the police chief of her town has been replaced so that their peace and order concerns can be addressed.

Senior Supt. Charles Calima, Negros Occidental police director, recently replaced town police chief, Inspector Gil Flores, with Inspector Cesarlin Delubio who has been directed to initiate reforms.

Manzano said Candoni is a critical area and it is necessary that members of their police force are on top of the situation, and not out engaged in gambling or asleep when they are supposed to be on duty. Reforms are being put in place to address the concerns of the mayor, Delubio said.*CPG

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Man nabbed for loose gun

Bacolod resident was arrested by Police Precinct 9 policemen at about 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the White House Videoke Bar in Barangay Sum-ag, Bacolod City, for allegedly possessing an unlicensed firearm.

Detained at PP9 was Candido Megallo, 49, married, of Purok Badyang, Brgy. Sum-ag for violation of Republic Act 8294, or illegal possession of firearms, police reports said.

Recovered from Megallo was a .38 homemade snub-nosed caliber revolver without serial number containing four live ammunition, police reports said. Megallo said he had no bad intentions with the gun and he was not going to use it except for self-protection.

"I'm just bringing the gun for self-protection in case bad elements would like to harm me," he said.

Leading the apprehension of Megallo was SPO1 Eduardo Federizo of PP9, police reports added. *CIT

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