New MOA on military's poll duties being drafted

MANILA, Philippines - A new agreement between the Department of National Defense and the Commission on Elections will give the military additional duties during next year’s elections.

In a statement, Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales said the new agreement being drafted will place the Armed Forces at the full disposal of the poll body “to safeguard the sanctity of the elections.”

“The new MOA will redefine the role of the AFP during elections to check private armed groups in many areas of the country and to prevent a repeat of the Maguindanao tragedy,” he said.

Gonzales, concurrently the national security adviser, said there are at least 132 private armed groups nationwide and about one million loose firearms.

“If left unchecked, this situation will result in the subversion of the true will of our people,” he said.

Gonzales said there was a pattern of daily political killings in the country even before the election season.

It is also intended to help prevent a repeat of the issues that resulted from the 2004 and 2007 elections, he added.

The 2006 agreement between the DND and the Comelec prohibits soldiers from escorting candidates and election paraphernalia, as well as using camps for polling precincts.

Soldiers were also prohibited from serving as members of the Board of Election Inspectors.

Gonzales said the Armed Forces must meet the challenge head on instead of shying away from its responsibility.

“We will show that the AFP is the true protector of our democracy and our people’s will,” he said.

“We will prove the detractors of our soldiers wrong.”

Just last week, the Comelec issued a resolution allowing a maximum of two soldiers to protect candidates in election hot spots. – James Mananghaya