Task force, policemen “maul” ANAD members Junie says they were just invited for questioning

 CEBU, Philippines - ANAD partylist Rep. Pastor Alcover and Cebu Fourth District Rep. Benhur Salimbangon are bent on pressing charges against CBACTAF members and some policemen who were reportedly involved in the mauling.

Alcover said that his members have not done any crime or engaged in any violence when they were picked up and beaten up.

Bogo City Mayor Celestino “Junie” Martinez, Jr. said that ANAD members were seen in the vicinity wherein two hand-grenades were found.

“Naay nakit-an nga duha ka hand grenade sa vicinity diin naa sad ning mga tawhana. They were just invited by the police for questioning,” said Martinez, who appealed to his constituents to go out today and vote so that the real voice of the people will be heard.

Alcover added that yesterday, a day before the election, Bogo City looked like it was under martial law.

“Gibarikadahan nila ang City Hall. Mura na og naay martial law ang Bogo karon,” Alcover said.

In response, Martinez said, “Walay martial law sa Bogo. We are just putting that as a fence kay wala man nay fence ang among City Hall.” (There’s no martial law, we just put up a fence.)

Salimbangon, who is running again for congressman and whose daughter Daphne is running for mayor against Martinez, said he is also appealing to the people of Bogo to be vigilant and to do their best to cast their votes.

Bogo is classified by the Philippine National Police-7 as one of the high risks areas in relation to today’s election.

In a separate development, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has yet to issue the resolution embodying the disqualification of Anad partylist and 11 others.

Alcover yesterday said that his lawyers in Manila kept on waiting for the copy of the resolution since Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes issued a statement on the disqualification.

With this, Alcover clarified that no disqualification has been been imposed on Anad.  He called on their supporters to go on voting for the partylist.

“I challenge my detractors to produce evidence as to what resolution they are basing,” Alcover told The Freeman.

Anad’s second nominee, Baltaire Balangauan, also called on the “peace-loving people who love true democracy” not to believe the mere statement of Brillantes through press release.

“Propaganda ng kaliwa ito. Magpalabas lang ng official resolution ang Comelec tungkol dito, sarap mag-file ng impeachment case for ignorance of the law,” Balangauan said in his Facebook account.

Balangauan quoted the Supreme Court as saying, “With respect to existing registered party list group (Like ANAD) jurisdiction to disqualify is clearly reposed on the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal (HRET).”

“Kalokohan ito ni Brillantes at ng mga komunista sa Comelec na mga kasamahan niya,” he further said.

Balangauan also stressed that no disqualification should be made when election period already started.

The Absentee Voting started last April 13, 2013 yet.

Besides, Balangauan added that Anad Party-list is already in the official ballot.  (FREEMAN)