AFP 'did not probe' officers in 2007 poll fraud

MANILA, Philippines - The military has yet to investigate officers reportedly involved in the alleged 2007 election fraud in North Cotabato even if a military intelligence officer has already been charged with two counts of electoral sabotage, a former elections official said yesterday.

Lawyer Yogie Martirizar, who was then the North Cotabato board of election inspectors chair, said she was never invited by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to shed light on the alleged involvement of military men in the tampering of election documents even if she received financial support from the Intelligence Service of the AFP (ISAFP) for four years.

She alleged that Capt. Peter Reyes of the ISAFP directed the production and distribution of fake election returns in the province.

Martirizar made the admission when she was questioned by the lawyer of former poll body chief Benjamin Abalos yesterday. She, Reyes and Abalos are co-respondents in two counts of electoral sabotage being tried before Pasay City regional trial court Judge Jesus Mupas.