Samar politicians denounce partisan activities of the military and police

By GINA DEAN-RAGUDO, Samar News.com
November 18, 2010

CALBAYOG CITY, Samar  –  To denounce the alleged political interventions of certain military and police personnel as well as DepEd (Department of Education) employees in connection with the forthcoming SK and ABC Federation Elections, a joint conference of the PCL (Philippine Councilors League) and LMP (League of Municipalities of the Philippines) Samar Chapter was conducted on November 16, 2010 at Calbayog City Cultural Convention Center.

Eighteen (18) mayors representing the municipalities of Villareal, Basey, Matuguinao, Sto. Niño, Almagro, Paranas, Catbalogan, Daram, Hinabangan, Tarangnan, Marabut, Pagsanghan, San Jose de Buan, Sta. Rita, San Jorge, Jiabong, Gandara, and Sta. Margarita and 14 PCL officials were present.

The move for coming up a joint executive and legislative conference was on the basis of the alleged involvement of a military officer under the name of 2nd Lt. Eduardo R. Mendoza of the 34IB, where an unsigned letter coming from him was distributed to some barangay captains of Paranas directing them to attend a meeting in Brgy. Calapi, Motiong, Samar. The letter was expressly directing them to attend an Orientation Seminar on Integrated Territorial Defense Security System (ITDSS) and to witness some talks initiated by officials of the province on developments projects of the barangay to be given by Congresswoman Milagrosa Tan.

Another set of letters came out with the same purpose signed by a certain Sgt. Romeo Paldez of 34IB Alpha Company situated in Poblacion 2, San Jose de Buan, and was also distributed to the barangay captains and the SK officials in San Jose de Buan, Samar.

The situation has worsened when San Jorge Mayor Nancy Grey while conducting barangay visitations was being tailed by some policemen led by P/Inspector Cerilo Apiten, Jr. The day after, the same group of personnel escorted the relatives of the different barangay captains convincing them to join with the group of barangay captains who were already “housed or hamleted” in Hotel Maqueda Bay in Catbalogan Samar, through the behest of the Provincial Governor; that on November 6, 2010, some barangay captains of her municipality were also invited to attend a meeting in Catbalogan Samar but were no longer permitted to return home until now and their respective families could not reach or contact them.

Furthermore, a certain SSgt. Guillermo Daga of the 52ndIB has allegedly exerted influence over some CAFGUs and threatened them to be relieved from duty by transferring to another area if they refuse to support their SK and ABC candidates in the upcoming elections.

In Sta. Rita, teachers whose children are SK officials were also intimidated.

The preceding circumstances as manifested by some witnesses became the basis of creating a joint resolution by the PCL and LMP calling the attention of the Department of National Defense, Department of Interior and Local Government and Department of Education to conduct an investigation and inquiry on the alleged partisan activities committed by the military, police and educational personnel in preparation of SK and ABC Elections this December.

Prior to the joint conference, Samarnews.com was able to talk with LMP-Samar Chapter President Reynaldo Latorre and PCL President Rogelio Casurao mentioning on the suppose neutrality (afar politician’s maneuver) that the military should execute in effecting security operations in Samar Province.

To counteract the alleged “military intrusion” in politics, a reliable source said that Defense Committee Chair Mel Senen Sarmiento sent a text message to MGen. Mario Chan of the 8ID informing him that an investigation over the matter will be conducted and his men will personally appear before the house.