EDITORIAL - Dismantling armed groups

With the general elections just six months away, the Philippine National Police has announced that it is zeroing in on private armed groups identified with politicians. As of yesterday, police officials counted at least 71 such PAGs that the PNP intends to dismantle.

The figure appears to be a conservative estimate, but it’s good that the PNP is committing to dismantle PAGs. This effort must be accompanied by an effective campaign to stop the proliferation of unlicensed guns and enforce the election gun ban.

Violence is the worst way of undermining free elections and should have no place in a democratic society. Yet in this country, resorting to violence has almost become routine for many politicians who want to eliminate rivals and critical commentators during election season. The impunity is reinforced by the failure of the state to bring murderers to justice.

Assassinations may remain unsolved, but the PNP should be able to do a better job of preventing election violence. This is possible through intensified gun control and dismantling of private armed groups. The campaign can be effective only if applied without partisan considerations; pro-administration and opposition politicians alike should be covered. It must also be accompanied by efforts to improve peace and order so that politicians feel no need to surround themselves and their families with a coterie of armed escorts.

Considering the state of Philippine politics, dismantling PAGs can be tricky. In November 2009, the nation’s worst case of election violence was perpetrated in Maguindanao by government and civilian security forces serving as the private armed group of the Ampatuans, who were allies of the Arroyo administration. The clan’s armory included crates of weapons and ammunition marked as government property.

Such situations, although to a lesser degree, are common in many parts of the country, despite tough laws that limit gun ownership. Law enforcers should be reassured of full support by the civilian leadership in enforcing gun laws and dismantling private armed groups. This campaign is backed by laws that must be fully and competently enforced.