PNP eyes 114 groups in 492 poll hot spots

The Philippine National Police (PNP) is watching at least 114 armed partisan groups nationwide to help ensure the conduct of peaceful and honest elections on May 10.

Director Avelino Razon Jr., chief of the PNP directorate for operations, said 72 of these armed groups have been reported in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

The rest are scattered in Eastern Visayas, Central Luzon, Southern Tagalog and Metro Manila, he added.

Razon said PNP forces nationwide are under orders to strictly implement the gun ban imposed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) during the election period.

"We want to remove the opportunity for these armed groups to use firearms and armed personnel," he said.

Razon said the PNP has also identified 492 "areas of immediate concern" based on figures on "election-related violence" in 2001.

Most of these areas are in the ARMM, he added.

Razon said police are coordinating with the Armed Forces to determine the strength of these armed groups, and their capability to wreak havoc.

Meanwhile, Razon said each candidate is allowed only one police security detail and one civilian bodyguard for his protection.

Any security man in excess of these must have permission from the Comelec, he added.

On the other hand, Director Roberto Delfin, chief of the directorate for intelligence, said they are gathering evidence against these armed groups so criminal charges can be filed against them in court.

Razon and Delfin said police nationwide have been on alert since Dec. 15, the start of the filing of certificates of candidacy.

Delfin said the PNP has a list of about 10 police officers who have been "openly supporting" candidates in the May 10 elections.

The Association of Generals for Fernando Poe Jr. and Loren Legarda is not included in the watchlist because retired police generals are allowed to take part in partisan political activities, he added.

Meanwhile, Razon said the only political act policemen are allowed to engage in is to vote on election day.

"The PNP personnel can only cast their votes, not endorse to campaign for a candidate... believing in one candidate is your choice, but that is only as far as you could go," he said.