Villar calls on PNP, AFP to curb poll violence

Nacionalista Party (NP) standard-bearer Manny Villar urged the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to curb the rising cases of pre-election violence.

Villar directed his call on PNP Director General Jesus Versoza and newly installed AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Delfin Bangit amid growing fears that the May 10 polls could be the "most violent yet."

"This is a challenge to both Generals Versoza and Bangit to prove that they are up to the job of ensuring violence-free elections," Villar said.

Villar said much is expected from the two officials, especially after both of them have categorically declared that they would not follow any illegal orders or commit illegal actions pertaining to the elections.

"This is their chance as well to vindicate themselves against critics who suspect them as enemies of democracy and puppets of President Arroyo," Villar said.

He also urged Versoza and Bangit to exert their efforts in going after private armies of politicians that still proliferate in many areas of the country despite a government crackdown.

Villar said he has received reports that private armed groups in the employ of politicians are prevalent not only in Mindanao but also in some parts of Luzon and Visayas.

The NP presidential bet said he is also alarmed that four NP members - three of them seeking elective positions - were among the 90 people killed in pre-election violence.

He identified the victims as Julio "Bimbo" Esquivias, a retired policeman running for councilor in Casiguran, Sorsogon, who was slain on Jan. 5; Wilbert "Dodong" Origines, who was running for vice mayor in Taganaan, Surigao del Norte; and Joen Canete, who was running for councilor in Dingras, Ilocos Norte.

An organizer for the "Manny Villar for President movement," Cipriano "Bobong" Albores, was killed in Davao del Sur earlier.

"These incidents could only be a prelude to more violence as the May elections draw closer," Villar said.

"And this is where the PNP and the AFP should come in. They should pool their men and resources to stop such violence and ensure that the coming polls will be free, honest and clean," he said.

Villar said he was also alarmed that that many of the suspects in the so-called Maguindanao massacre, in which more than 50 people - including at least 30 media workers - have remained scot-free.

"These people, who are fully armed, can still create trouble during the elections. I challenge the PNP and AFP to go after them, as well as the other private armed groups still roaming in the other parts of the country," the NP standard-bearer added.