MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil has ordered heads of local police to dismantle all active and potential private armed groups or PAGs by March. Marbil’s ultimatum seeks to prevent politicians from using private armies to influence the result of the May elections.
Those who fail to comply with Marbil’s directive will face consequences including dismissal from their posts, according to PNP spokesperson and Central Luzon police director Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo.
“This will be a ground for their relief. That is the instruction of the chief PNP,” Fajardo said at a news briefing at Camp Crame yesterday.
She said there are three active PAGs – one each in Central Luzon, Central Visayas and Zamboanga peninsula – and five potential PAGs – one each in Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Calabarzon, Eastern Visayas and Bangsamoro region.
Fajardo said that PNP field commanders have no reason not to comply with Marbil’s directive because the identities of all PAG leaders and members are known to the police.
She cited the partisan Guinto Group in Nueva Ecija, which she said is believed to be associated with an incumbent mayor.
With the May elections only a few months away, Fajardo said there is a possibility that unscrupulous politicians would use PAGs to threaten voters.
Meanwhile, the number of people arrested for violating the gun ban imposed by the Commission on Elections increased to 274 yesterday from 250 the previous day.
Among those arrested recently was a motorcycle-riding man, who was pulled over at a checkpoint in Datu Odin Sinsuat in Maguindanao on Tuesday night.
Police said they seized a revolver from the suspect, identified as Ryan Bayao.
The suspect was pulled over at a checkpoint in Barangay Capiton for a routine inspection.
During inspection, police found a gun inside the utility box of Bayao’s motorcycle.
Brig. Gen. Romeo Juan Macapaz, Bangsamoro police director, said Bayao failed to produce documents showing he is allowed to carry firearms outside of residence.
Fajardo said up to 279 assorted firearms have been seized at police checkpoints and other law enforcement operations since the election period started on Jan. 12.– John Unson