Politicians warned vs using goons, force to intimidate voters

MANILA, Philippines — Politicians planning to win in the elections through force and intimidation should think twice because the government will not hesitate to run after them, Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año warned yesterday.

“Stop using armed goons, stop using intimidation and force to influence the voters. We will not back down, whoever it is,” Año said, adding that they will not hesitate to implement the full force of the law on any political candidate who will try to win the elections through violence.

He added that President Duterte has instructed military and police officials in previous meetings to ensure the elections will be peaceful, clean, orderly and honest. The Chief Executive also stressed that they should be non-partisan and that whoever is chosen by the majority of voters is elected.

The department chief said Duterte has never instructed them to use government resources to help a presidential candidate to win the elections in May.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos added that the 225,000-strong police force will always remain neutral in the elections.

In the recent shootout in Pilar in Abra, Año said they are exploring all legal options against Vice Mayor Jaja Josefina Disono, including to petition for her disqualification before the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Año said Disono blatantly violated laws for having unauthorized bodyguards carrying firearms registered to her, despite the election gun ban.

Disono’s security escorts allegedly got into a shootout with policemen after they reportedly evaded a checkpoint. One of her bodyguards was killed while two police officers were injured.

“We will make representation to the Comelec for the disqualification of the candidate based on the final investigation report of the PNP,” Año said.

Meanwhile, the PNP has recommended 105 towns and cities as election areas of concern or hot spots in this year’s elections.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said they are eyeing to come out with the list of election hot spots within the week after validating the PNP report. He added that their field offices would conduct their own validation before releasing the list.

The PNP will deploy up to 16,820 police officers undergoing career courses and field training exercises to secure the May 9 elections, Carlos said yesterday.