AFP to activate task force HOPE

MANILA, Philippines - The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will reactivate its Task Force HOPE (Honest, Orderly, and Peaceful Elections) in preparation for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) polls on Oct. 25.

AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Jose Mabanta, Jr. said the task force would undertake the same mission of ensuring peace and order as it did during the May 2010 elections.

Mabanta said this would include monitoring the threat board nationwide for 24 hours during the Oct. 25 elections.

“We are deputized by the Comelec (Commission on Elections) together with the Philippine National Police. The usual prohibitions such as bodyguards and carrying of firearms will prevail,” Mabanta told dzBB.

“Other details will still be tackled within the next few days but we do not see any big difference from what we did last May 10,” he added.

Mabanta noted the Comelec would implement the gun ban from Sept. 25 to Nov. 10. The campaign period will start on Oct. 14 and end on Oct. 23.

Mabanta said the task force would also validate intelligence reports gathered in the field, noting that intense rivalries may be present in some areas.

“Filipinos are very much aware of all issues even at the lowest level and we know that the grassroots is important to the political kingpins. They have allies in the lowest levels,” he said.

Mabanta is confident that the security forces can prevent the escalation of violence or bloodshed during the grassroots elections.

“We are happy that during the last election, the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces performed well and credibly and we see that in this coming elections,” he said.

Mabanta said among the possible election hotspots are areas in Western Mindanao, Central Mindanao, Davao, Samar, Abra and Masbate.

The military has also warned that communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebels might try to extort money from some candidates.

Officials said the NPA are likely to distribute “permits to campaign” and “permits to win” in areas they consider as their strongholds.

The PNP has vowed to establish checkpoints nationwide to thwart violent incidents and to prevent lawless groups from disrupting the elections. Police visibility would also be heightened 30 days before the polls, until Nov. 10.