Army to look for private armed groups and vows to dismantle them

By PIA Samar
August 26, 2012

CATBALOGAN CITY  –  The army, the entity with the PNP authorized to secure elections admitted that they are on the look out for private armed groups and in the process, “dismantle them” this early.

This was more or less the pronouncements of Col. Romeo Labador, 801st Brigade Commander as he faced the media during the Express It at The Park 12th anniversary, Saturday, held at Tubabao Island, Guiuan, Eastern Samar.

As a seasoned army officer, Labador talked about the emerging election threat in the region during elections.

“Fifteen years ago, insurgency was the real problem and only a few if not insignificant number of private armed groups,” Labador shared.

But he has observed, he said that after some fifteen years, there are less insurgents but more private armed groups.

“We will act on this with the police,” he promised.

“We have a memorandum of agreement with the police and the COMELEC to assume our roles come election time,” he explained.

The army though emphasized that their job is focused on the provision of check points, security and implementation of Gun Ban.

Like COMELEC officer Atty. Jose Nick Mendros, Labador also urged the media to help them in reporting the unlawful activities of some people from the region especially violation of laws regarding elections.