PNP: Most of private armed groups found in ARMM, Central Mindanao

DAVAO CITY, Philippines—Majority of the 85 private armed groups identified all over the country can be found in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and Central Mindanao or Region 12, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Dir. Gen. Ricardo Marquez told reporters here.

ARMM is made up of the provinces of Maguindanao, Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Tawi-Tawi and Sulu; while Region 12 is composed of the provinces of North and South Cotabato, Sarangani and Sultan Kudarat and the cities of Cotabato, General Santos, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Koronadal.

Marquez told reporters here Thursday that the PNP has already placed these private armed groups under tight surveillance, especially with the conduct of the upcoming May national elections, because some of them were closely identified with politicians.

At least 80 percent of the private armed groups operating in the country are found in the two Mindanao regions, he added.

“Some of them are identified with certain candidates,” Marquez said, without providing additional details.

However, he said that in priority areas like the ARMM, the national task force for the disbandment of private armies has already taken over to implement measures that will prevent violence in the area.

Marquez was in the city for a two-day command conference of the PNP.

Marquez said the operation of private armed groups is among the risk factors identified by the PNP as they work on the security plan for the elections. The other factors include the proliferation of illegal firearms, presence of communist insurgents and other threat groups in some rural areas.

Marquez also said the police force is supporting the move of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in addressing the threats of the communist-led insurgency.

He said at least 99 hotspots had also been identified in relation to the May polls.

Marquez said the PNP was now implementing a “whole government approach” for its security plan for the elections—similar to the strategy used in the recently concluded Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) held in Manila.

“One of the things I’m focusing on is to improve our security plan by involving the other government agencies, because as commander of APEC, I was able to see the strength when all government agencies put their to acts together, we could easily accomplish what we’re aiming for,” he said.

Marquez said the security plan was further being fine-tuned.

“What we would like to see more is a much closer coordination with other agencies deputized by Comelec (Commission on Elections) for the purpose of the election operation, we have the teachers who will man the polling precincts, the treasurer to keep the election paraphernalia until these are delivered to the polling centers, we’d like to engage more the private provider To Go, the entity contracted by the Comelec to transport the election paraphernalia from the hub to the provincial and the regional centers,” Marquez said.

“I’d like to put them on board and discuss the security plans in every facet of the election activities to ensure the conduct of an orderly and peaceful elections,” he added. RAM

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