DoJ, Comelec to probe 2004 poll fraud, based on crack police unit’s affidavit

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Justice (DoJ) and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) special committee may begin its inquiry on the alleged switching of election returns during the 2004 polls, based on an affidavit submitted by members of the Special Action Force (SAF), a specialized anti-terrorist unit of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

“I am thinking that all the affidavits submitted by Senior Superintendent Rafael Santiago, and the other SAF men, are enough to initiate the preliminary investigation,” De Lima told reporters today.

De Lima said they could initiate the preliminary investigation based on the persons identified by Santiago, Police Officers 2 Trifon Laxamana Jr., Rodel Tabangin, Police Officers 2 Rudy Gahar and Alan Layugan and P01 Norman Austria in their affidavits.

Some of the names identified in the affidavit include former PNP Chief, now Zambales Governor, Hermogenes Ebdane, and SAF Chief Marcelino Franco.

These men were allegedly part of a team that pilfered 38 election returns out of the boxes that were transported from a house in Cainta to the House of Representatives in January and February 2005.

Santiago told reporters that it was only later when they realized that the operation was carried out in anticipation of a recount due to the election protest filed by actress Susan Roces, wife of the late action star, and presidential candidate Fernando Poe Jr.

The DoJ-Comelec issued its joint order today. Aside from a preliminary investigation, it will also conduct a fact-finding investigation to gather evidence about the alleged electoral fraud during the 2004 and 2007 elections.

The fact finding team will be headed by an Assistant Secretary of the DoJ. It will be composed of six members, two from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and two from the DoJ, two from the Comelec.

The fact-finding team shall gather and document reports, intelligence information and investigative leads from official and unofficial sources. It will also interview, record testimonies, take affidavits of witnesses, identify offenders, and the offenses committed, among others.

The team has 45 days to finish its inquiry.