Armed groups sighted in T’boli town

GENERAL SANTOS CITY – Local candidates in a mining-rich T’boli town in South Cotabato have expressed fears of possible election violence due to the presence of some armed groups in the area.

Former T-boli vice mayor Salvador Ramos said he is disgusted with police and military inaction on the reports that armed groups were sighted roaming in different barangays.

"We have already notified the authorities, especially the Commission on Elections (Comelec), that there is really necessary to deploy troops in the area," said Ramos, a former newsman who is now running for a mayoralty post in the area under the Partido Demokratiko Sosyalista ng Pilipinas (PDSP).

Ramos said the armed groups, believed to have links with other local candidates, were sighted in the boundaries of Barangay Lambang, Sirapinang and Datalbob, all in T’boli, located 75 kilometers from here and is known for huge deposits of gold and copper.

Ramos added that at least 15 suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were seen entering the locality from neighboring Barangay Lampari in Banga town.

In fact, Ramos said his partymates were prevented from going full blast on their campaign, especially in the mountainous areas where the armed men were holed up.

He said political groups have to take extra caution, citing the ambush incident of his group at the height of the campaign period in the May 2001 elections, which resulted in the death of four people.

Comelec Regional Director Mike Abas confirmed the presence of the armed groups in T’boli but said the matter was already endorsed to the police and the military.

"We have already discussed that problem with the police and the military during the visit of Commissioner Romeo Brawner, and I personally noted it for the deployment of troops," said Abas who admitted that T’boli town is listed as one of the areas of concern.

He also said that there is a report that the armed groups were asking money from the candidates in exchange for protection during the campaign.

For his part, Col. Vicente Porto of the 102nd Army Brigade admitted receiving the endorsement of the Comelec for troop deployment but said there was no formal "deputization order."

Due to the necessity to address the problem, Porto said he already directed Col. Ricardo Santiago of the 27th Infantry Battalion to closely coordinate with provincial director Senior Superintendent Robert Kuinisala.