Over 100 private armies threaten Philippine vote: govt
MANILA - Philippine authorities warned Thursday more than 100 private armies controlled by local politicians could cause violence ahead of this year's national elections, as two more candidates were reported killed.
National police chief Jesus Verzosa said a joint study by his office, the military and the Commission on Elections confirmed there were at least 68 "private armed groups" prowling the Southeast Asian archipelago.
"But we have a watchlist which still has to be validated with a total of 102 (private armies). We are watching to see if they take shape," Verzosa told reporters.
Philippine politics has long been plagued by violence and dozens of people are murdered each election season as politicians seek to eliminate rivals' challenges.
Influential clans and families are infamous for their own employing private armies, and police estimate 1.2 million unlicensed guns are in circulation across the country.
Fear about politicians' private armies escalated in November last year when 100 gunmen controlled by a mayor in the southern Philippines allegedly massacred 57 people in a bid to stop a rival running against him.
The government has since vowed to quash the private armies but the violence has continued.
In the latest unrest, Baumol Sula, who was running for town council in the southern town of Banisalan, was shot dead as he was riding his motorcycle on Wednesday, local chief superintendent Josefino Cataluna said Thursday.
Meanwhile, Artemio Tugade, a town council candidate in the northern province of Ilocos Sur, was also gunned down on Wednesday by two motorcycle-riding men, according to a police report.
The killings bring to five the number of candidates murdered in separate incidents in the past two weeks.
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Garci
Mga tao bayan hindi takot sa private armies sa eleksyon takot sila sa mga pulis, sundalo at hikit sa lahat kay Garci baka daya na naman tao bayan...
Party Soon, come one come all !!
This is an open invitation to all groups only found in the Philippine archipelago! Leftists, rightists, ASG, private armies, centralists, MILF, MNLF, artists, Maoists, army rebels, CPP-NPA, Alvin Flores group, Ampatuans etc.
FUN STARTS ON : May,2010
Potluck suggestions: M-16,M-14,beretta,cal .45, M-60, smith & wesson,
grenade launchers, bazooka, mortar and any
suggestions are highly encouraged.
P.S. No bullet proof vests allowed.
RSVP if still alive a week before.
AFP at PNP takot sa baril?
AFP at Kapulisan ng Pinas inutil hindi kayang sugpuin ang private armies. Ang inyong dahilan bulok kesyo kulang ang budget bakit nga ba? Ang inatasang humahawak ng inyong pera ibinubulsa halimabawa na lang ex-Maj. Garcia tignan ninyo ang Multi-million apartment sa New York. Sigurado ako ang bagong kapatas nakapuwesto ngayon ganoon din ang gagawin. Kaya lang naman merong kaso dahil nabuking ang pagpupuslit ng dolyar sa Amerika. Dapat sa pamilya ni ex-Major Garcia firing squad para hindi pamarisan. Napaka bagal ng hustisya sa Pilipinas talagang fiesta ang mga criminal sa paggawa ng katiwalian. Ano kaya ang ginagawa ng mga asset ng PNP at AFP? Meron mga lead nag-tuturo sa mga private armies bakit tila kulang ang action ng kinauukulan. Meron ding goons in robes, goons sa senado at kamara. Kahit saan merong ahas. Hindi ba ninyo napansin ang mga nakaupo sa matataas na puwesto ng gobyerno puro mga demonyon paano magkakaroon ng kaayusan ang bansa. Marami pang tutumba bago matapos ang election sa taong ito, mga baho na babaliktad ang iyong sikmura, batuhan ng maanghang na salita sa pagitan ng mga kandidato. Wala nang ligtas na lugar kahit sa loob ng sariling bahay. Hindi ninyo kayang buwagin ang mga private armies ng inyong mga amo.