Rebels in Iloilo running for elective position in barangay polls: PA

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 28): Rebels in Iloilo running for elective position in barangay polls: PA

The Philippine Army in Panay Island has monitored several members of the New People's Army(NPA) who are running for an elective position in Iloilo in this year’s barangay election.

As this developed, Brig. Gen. Arnold Quiapo, commander of the 301st Infantry Brigade based in Camp Hernandez, Dingle, Iloilo, has called and convinced these candidates to support the government because they are already part of the government once they will win in this barangay elections.

But the ranking army official in Panay asked voters who are to exercise their right of suffrage to refrain from supporting these candidates who supported or a member of rebel groups themselves.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Army has implemented full force deployment of soldiers throughout Region 6 a day before the barangay election to ensure a peaceful polls.

Quiapo said they have already deployed army troops in troubled areas as well as in areas where tense political rivalry were reported like Sicogon Island off Carles, Iloilo where a land dispute was reported as well as in identified rebel-infested areas in the region.

In Sicogon Island, Iloilo provincial election supervisor Atty. Elizabeth Doronila has placed under areas of immediate concern the three barangays in the island following the reported harassment made by armed men among hundreds of families in the island.

The incident saw the deployment of a police team and army soldiers to maintain peace and order.

Likewise, the alert Philippine Navy and the aerial force has conducted patrol operations for its readiness in whatever exigency or emergency situation.

The 301IB commander himself personally conducted an aerial survey over the weekend elsewhere in the region as part of its security preparations.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=580713