Private armies in C. Luzon ordered dismantled

BALANGA CITY, Bataan — Chief Superintendent Ismael Rafanan, police regional director, has ordered the dismantling of 33 private armies in Central Luzon to ensure a peaceful and orderly conduct of elections and to maintain a conducive business atmosphere in the region.

Speaking at installation of newly designated Bataan police director Senior Superintendent Odelon Ramoneda on Friday, Rafanan stressed that the existence of private armies may affect the government’s development program and the forthcoming political exercises.

He said police intelligence officers and other law enforcement units should strictly monitor the reported acquisition of firearms by some local executives and advise them to immediately return those loaned to them for inventory with the imposition of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) gun ban.

Out of the seven provinces in Central Luzon, only Bataan has no private army, the veteran intelligence officer told police officers and provincial officials led by Bataan Rep. Albert Garcia of the province’s second congressional district.

Rafanan said the present situation in Bataan is a good example where harmony and opposing parties get the true mandate of the people without resorting to violence, intimidation and harassment.

Meanwhile, the PNP was urged to release the names of local politicians maintaining private armies in Central Luzon.

Nueva Ecija Rep. Aurelio Umali, asked PNP chief Director Gen. Oscar Calderon to reveal the identities of the politicians, saying the police’s failure to do so would render all politicians, including himself suspect.

Of the private armies allegedly being monitored, nine are in Central Luzon.

Political violence and vendetta killings have claimed the lives of at least 100 political leaders and supporters in the province, including former Cabanatuan mayor Honorato Perez, and the Josons’ younger brother, the late Cabanatuan vice mayor Eduardo "Danding" Joson III. — With Manny Galvez