Director General Oscar Albayalde, PNP chief. (File photo by NOY MORCOSO / INQUIRER.net)
MANILA, Philippines — Remnants of the terror group Ansar Khalifa Philippines (AKP) and other groups may disrupt the “peaceful” holding of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) plebiscite, Philippine National Police chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said on Saturday.
“Yung mga remnant ng AKP, isa yan. Although walang affiliations tong mga to pero ito yung mga nakikita nating kahit papaano gustong idisrupt yung peaceful conduct ng plebiscite doon. Just to sow fear sa mga tao,” Albayalde said after Sri Lankan President’s visit in Camp Crame, Quezon City.
AKP is a group known for its extortion activities in Sultan Kudarat and previously had pledged allegiance with the terror group ISIS.
Albayalde noted that the breakaway group of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) may also impede the plebiscite, which is aimed to bring peace in the Muslim South.
“Pero wala naman silang nakikitang pinaglalaban dahil yung mga tao doon for and against lang pinag-uusapan doon kaya ito ang nakikita natin, gusto lang nila manggulo. Hindi lang AKP pati other groups na mga breakaway group ng BIFF,” he said.
Albayalde then hoped for a peaceful plebiscite but warned that bombing incidents specifically in Cotabato are a possibility.
“We hope to have a peaceful and orderly plebiscite doon at although wala tayong nakikitang immediate threat doon but we cannot take anything for granted dito kasi remember, merong mga incidents of bombings particularly doon sa Cotabato kaya minabuti natin na magdagdag ng personnel doon,” he said.
The first BOL plebiscite is set on Jan. 21 while the second second day is on Feb. 6.
Last July 27, President Rodrigo Duterte signed the BOL or Republic Act No. 11054, which allows self-rule and autonomy for the Muslim south. /jpv
READ: Comelec: Plebiscite for BOL set on Jan 21, Feb 6