Bishops divided over postponement of Maguindanao elections

MANILA, Philippines - Amid reports of violence in Maguindanao, Catholic bishops reportedly expressed opposing views on the postponement of elections in the province.

The Catholic-run Radio Veritas said yesterday even after the death of 57 persons, including women, lawyers and journalists, Marbel Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez said the election in Maguindanao should go on.

“We should proceed with the elections in Maguindanao after the violence. We should trust in God,” said Bishop Gutierrez.

San Fernando, Pampanga Bishop Ambo David agreed with Gutierrez, saying elections should continue in May next year because through it that they would determine if the government has real authority over the province.

The military has taken over the Capitol and two municipal halls in the province.

Bishop David said he sees no reason why the political exercise should be rescheduled.

“The election is a democratic and peaceful way to change leadership. Civilized people in Maguidanao should go through with the elections and show that not all residents of the province are like the Ampatuans,” he added.

On the other hand, Bishop Elenito Galido of the Diocese of Iligan, Lanao del Norte, said before allowing the Ampatuans to participate in the election, “they should first settle the peace issues, and not proceed with the elections.”

“This is not the right time to proceed with the elections because whoever the winner may be, they would only hurt each other.”

More troops deployed

Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) deployed more troops to maintain security operations in Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat and the city of Cotabato, following the Maguindanao massacre.

Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner, AFP Public Information Office (PIO), said troops deployed in the area included the maneuver and reserve forces in Basilan and Jolo from the Scout Rangers and Special Forces.

“Fresh troops were deployed in Maguindanao and nearby areas to prevent retaliatory attacks and deter any armed groups from taking advantage of the highly-volatile security situation down there,” Brawner said.

At present there are about 3,000 military troops deployed in the so-called security high-risk areas.

Some soldiers were tasked to secure vital government buildings and installations such as the Maguindanao provincial capitol and municipal halls of Ampatuan town and Shariff Aguak.

The government has placed Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat and Cotabato City under a state of emergency a day after the mass killings perpetrated by some 100 armed men reportedly on orders of Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr.

Troops also deployed in these troubled areas are the 73rd Infantry Battalion that were pulled out from Saranggani and the Samar-bound 46th Infantry Battalion.

Maj. Gen. Anthony Alcantara formally assumed command of the 6th Infantry Division in Awang, Maguindanao yesterday, replacing Maj. Gen. Alfredo Cayton.

Col. Leo Ferrer also assumed command of the 601st Infantry Brigade from Col. Medardo Geslani.

Cayton and Geslani were relieved from their posts and placed under investigation for alleged lapses in preventing the carnage from happening. – Evelyn Macairan, Jaime Laude