DAVAO CITY, Philippines – A Maguindanao vice mayor was detained by the military yesterday after he allegedly seized the ballots intended for Barira and Buldon towns without proper coordination with election officers and the joint security coordinating center in the province.
Col. Ernesto Aradanas, commander of the Army’s 603rd Infantry Brigade, said they intercepted Barira Vice Mayor Alexander Tomawis’ convoy at around 11 a.m. and retrieved the ballots from the vice mayor’s aides.
Aradanas said they invited Tomawis to the headquarters for questioning but he refused and opted to stay in his vehicle.
In a phone interview with a reporter here, Tomawis denied getting the ballots.
He said it was Barira treasurer Kadir Manalao who transported the ballots from Buluan, and that his convoy and Manalao’s arrived at a checkpoint in Sultan Kudarat town at the same time. He said this gave the impression that he was with the convoy bringing the ballots.
Tomawis accused Aradanas of dipping his hand in local politics, saying the colonel is a supporter of his political foe, Sultan Kudarat Mayor Tucao Mastura.
He alleged their being held at the Sultan Kudarat checkpoint was a setup planned by the colonel and Mastura.
Aradanas denied Tomawis’ allegation. “Let us allow the (Commission on Elections) to take charge. We are just doing our job,” he said.