General blamed for failure of polls in Zambo Sur town

A Marine general, who was earlier recalled and questioned for his alleged involvement in partisan politics in the May 10 elections, is now facing a new inquiry.

This time, Brig. Gen. Francisco Gudani will be investigated for his alleged defiance to follow the orders of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in connection with the conduct of special elections in Madalum, Zamboanga del Sur.

Gudani, commander of the 1st Marine Brigade based in Lanao del Sur, is being blamed by 12 election officers and assistants in Madalum for the failure of elections in three villages in the municipality.

In a letter to Armed Forces chief Gen. Narciso Abaya and Southern Command chief Lt. Gen. Roy Kyamko, Mada-lum’s election officers accused Gudani of ordering the holding of special elections in Barangays Sogod, Padian—Torogan and Salongabanding last Saturday with his men acting as members of the boards of election inspectors (BEIs).

Gudani’s action, they said, violated Comelec Minute Resolution No. 7231 issued last June 4, which provides, among others, that the BEIs for the four precincts of Madalum should be composed of election officers and election assistants.

The insistence of Gudani’s men to conduct the elections prompted the local Comelec to declare a failure of elections for the third time in Madalum.

Last May 10, both the Comelec and the military declared a failure of elections in Madalum due to the presence of heavily armed men in the area.

Special elections were set last May 15 and June 5. However, both still failed to push through allegedly due to the interference of the Marines.

The STAR repeatedly tried to reach Gudani to get his side but failed. His immediate commander, Marine Commandant Emmanuel Teodosio, was also unavailable.

Maj. Rommel Abrau, Marine spokesman, said this could just be a case of misunderstanding between the Comelec and the Marines in Madalum.