Comelec orders ARMM police chief to report on Bedol hunt

It seems that even the police officer tapped to arrest former Maguindanao poll supervisor Lintang Bedol is turning a deaf ear to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

And with their patience apparently wearing thin, officials of the Comelec has ordered police regional director for Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Chief Supt. Joel Goltiao to appear and report what he has done to arrest Bedol.

The Comelec directed Goltiao last Oct. 23 to serve a warrant of arrest on Bedol, whom it sentenced to six months imprisonment for indirect contempt.

After a week and without any word from Goltiao, the Comelec gave him a 24-hour ultimatum last Oct. 30 to deliver Bedol.

The following day, news report showed Goltiao swooping down on Bedol’s house in Cotabato City, but nothing happened.

The Comelec called on Goltiao to make a formal report on what he has done to implement the warrant but the police official continued to snub the commission.

In a resolution, the Comelec said Goltiao must appear before them at 10 a.m. on Dec. 11, “to explain what further steps he has taken in connection with the arrest warrant.”

“Considering no word has been received to date from Chief Supt. Joel R. Goltiao on the service and enforcement of the warrant, the Commission resolved to direct (Goltiao) to submit a report on whether or not the warrant of arrest of Bedol has been served and enforced, within 24 hours from receipt hereof,” the Comelec noted.

In previous interviews, Comelec chairman Resurreccion Borra had expressed dismay over Goltiao’s continued refusal to formally report to the Comelec.

Borra added that Goltiao’s action was uncalled for from a “gentleman and a police officer.”

An insider claimed that Goltiao had sent word to the Comelec that he wanted to consult his lawyer whether or not he was obliged to follow the poll officials.

This prompted the latter to issue the 24-hour deadline.

According to Comelec Commissioner Rene Sarmiento, the warrant was issued during an election period or when the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines were under the supervision of the Comelec so they had the authority then over Goltiao.

Because of this, Goltiao’s disobedience constitutes an election offense that is punishable with six years imprisonment. The Comelec can also file administrative charges against him.

This developed as Sarmiento said he was thinking of proposing that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) be tapped to find Bedol.

Sarmiento added the Comelec seriously wants to know Bedol’s whereabouts and the NBI might be able to give them information on this.