Comelec gives ARMM police 24 hours to arrest Bedol

Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao police director Chief Superintendent Joel Goltiao was given 24 hours by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) yesterday to arrest former Maguindanao election supervisor Lintang Bedol or face contempt and administrative charges.

Bedol, who is facing six months in jail for indirect contempt, lives in Cotabato City.

Speaking to reporters, Comelec acting Chairman Resurreccion Borra said Goltiao was ordered to effect Bedol’s arrest within 24 hours from receipt of the order.

The poll body cannot tolerate Goltiao’s “dilly-dallying,” he added.

Comelec Commissioner Rene Sarmiento said they are considering filing administrative charges against Goltiao if he fails to meet the deadline.

A Comelec official, who asked not to be named, said they learned that Goltiao wanted to consult his lawyer whether the poll body can compel him to arrest Bedol.

However, Sarmiento said during the election period or 30 days before and 15 days after an election, the Comelec has supreme authority over the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces.

Goltiao is duty-bound to implement the Comelec’s orders, he added.

Last Aug. 7, the Comelec had cited Bedol for indirect contempt and ordered him detained for six months at the Manila city jail and fined P1,000.

Bedol had filed a motion for reconsideration but this was denied by the poll body after he failed to get a temporary restraining order from the Supreme Court.

The warrant of arrest was immediately delivered to Goltiao for implementation but nothing has happened since then. – Sheila Crisostomo