Losing Congress bet cries foul

MANILA, Philippines - The camp of a losing congressional bet in the lone district of Mt. Province cried foul over the alleged mishandling by Army troopers of a case invol-ving the camp of his rival who were caught violating the gun ban imposed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) during the May 10 elections.

The Army soldiers responding to the burning of precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines in Sitio Apalis, Barangay Bunot in Paracelis town a day after the election and confiscated in a checkpoint two Armalite rifles, a KG-9 sub-machinegun, a shotgun and two handguns and assorted ammunitions from occupants of three vehicles.

However, instead of turning over the evidence to the local police, the Army filed gun ban violation and illegal possession of firearms charges against the drivers of the vehicles and excluded the vehicles’ other occupants.

“It is very unusual why the Army is interested in the case. There must be something into this,” said Dr. Jacqueline Dominguez, in behalf of her brother Jupiter.

Jupiter, an Independent, is trailing by at least 700 votes to his rival, incumbent Mt. Province Gov. Maximo Dalog.

The Comelec is scheduling a special election for Sitio Apalis in Bunot town which has more than 1,000 voters.

Records showed that the Army team headed by 2nd Lt. Alvin Dagondon of the 54th Infantry Brigade, 5th Infantry Division, proceeded to Sitio Apalis on May 11 amid reports that several men burned a PCOS machine.

The Army troopers set up a checkpoint and flagged down a Toyota Hi-Lux (CBB-164), a Mitsubishi Estrada (CRB-990) and a Mitsubishi Pajero (VEA-332) and they yielded firearms.