Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año cautioned Monday, April 11, all candidates from employing private armies to influence the results of the national and local elections.
Año issued the warning especially to the local candidates in 120 areas considered as election hot spots.
“Stop using armed goons, stop using intimidation and force to influence the voters and other election candidates. Hindi natin sasantuhin kahit sino pa yan. The Philippine National Police (PNP) is committed to enforce the law completely sa kahit sinong lumabag sa batas, no fear and favor," Año said in a joint press conference with the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
"Binabalaan ko ang mga kandidatong gumagamit ng goons at private armies na itigil ang pagpapalaganap ng karahasan at panlilinlang ( to the public) para lamang makahikayat ng mga botante (I am warning cabdidates using goons and private armies to stop sowing violence and hoodwinking the public just to woo the voters in their favor," he added.
Based on the PNP report, a total of 125 local government units (LGUs) are now classified as areas of election concern or hotspots in the country and these were submitted to the Comelec.
Meanwhile, Comelec Commissioner and spokesperson James Jimenez said 125 LGU election hotspots are due for validation of the Comelec regional offices.
He said that in coming up with the official list endorsed by the commission, the history of election-related violence and conflicts; presence of private armed groups; and presence of activities that point to a possible escalation in the area are being monitored and considered.
No to vote-buying
The DILG chief likewise issued a stern caution to election candidates against vote-buying and encouraged the public to submit complete sets of evidence that will point to the perpetrators of the illegal act.
He explained that it is a common practice for complainants to send unverified and incomplete documentation which will not stand.
"We are always looking at facts and data in investigating the veracity of these reports. Minsan kasi manipulated at photoshopped ang mga ebidensya na pinapadala (Sometimes the pieces of evidence sent are manipulated and photoshopped,’’ he noted.
Año emphasized that the DILG supports Comelec's Task Force Kontra Bigay (TFKB) adding that he will ensure that the said task force will execute its mandate to control and stop vote-buying, especially in the communities.
Comelec Commissioner Aimee Torrefrance-Neri said that TFKB is a convergence effort of all the commissioners in Comelec, Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the DILG, its attached agency the PNP and other national government agencies that will expedite all investigations against vote-buying.
DILG Undersecretary and spokesperson Jonathan E. Malaya recently urged activation or reactivation of TFKB in all LGUs to counter vote-buying in localities calling it one of the biggest blows in Philippine democracy.
He said that the TFKB was first activated during the 2019 elections but was only implemented at the provincial level.
For the 2022 elections, the DILG is proposing its activation up to the municipal level.
"Mayroon na nito (TFKB) hanggang provincial level noong 2019 (elections) kaya puwedeng reactivation na lamang (We already have this up to the provincial level since 2019 that is why we can reactivate this),’’ Malaya said. (Chito A. Chavez)