Comelec, DND eye AFP's revised role in 2010 polls

(Updated 12:36 p.m.) In light of the November 23 massacre in Ampatuan town in southern Philippines, the Department of National Defense (DND) and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) are drafting a new Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that will modify the Armed Forces' role in the coming 2010 elections. A statement from the Defense department on Monday said the new MOA will put the military at the Comelec's "full disposal" to "safeguard the sanctity of the 2010 elections." It will replace the 2007 agreement, which banned soldiers from escorting candidates and election paraphernalia during elections, among others. "Instead of shying away from their responsibility, our armed forces will meet the challenge head on. We will show that the AFP is the true protector of our democracy and our people’s will. We will prove the detractors of our soldiers wrong," said Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales. The 2007 MOA, initiated by then defense chief Avelino Cruz Jr., was an aftermath of allegations that the military took part in alleged electoral fraud by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo during the 2004 elections. [See: Hello Garci timeline] The President has repeatedly denied any involvement in the alleged electoral fraud in the 2004 polls. 2007 MOA The 2007 MOA prohibits military personnel from participating in the canvassing of votes, from acting as security escorts of candidates, and from providing security to poll places and government employees performing election duties. Gonzales said the 2007 MOA has already been rendered moot and academic with a new Comelec resolution allowing a maximum of two soldiers to protect candidates in election hotspots. According to him, the new MOA will redefine the role of the military during elections to prevent a repeat of the election-related Maguindanao massacre last November 23, where 57 people, including 31 journalists, were brutally murdered by armed men alleged to be part of the powerful Ampatuan clan's private army. [See: The Ampatuan Massacre: a map and a timeline] A technical working group is now working on the new MOA's details, Gonzales said. Gonzales, who is concurrently the National Security Adviser, has earlier said there are at least 132 private armed groups in the country and about 1 million loose firearms. He said they are currently monitoring the "heavy purchase" of weapons by local politicians supposedly in preparation for the upcoming elections. "If left unchecked, this situation will result in the subversion of the true will of our people," he said. A 'dangerous' proposal Two lawmakers, however, slammed the plan to let the military take a more active role in the upcoming polls. "I am extremely wary of the proposal to reverse the memorandum of agreement between the DND-AFP and Comelec which aimed to insulate the military from partisan politics," said Muntinlupa City Rep. Ruffy Biazon, vice chairman of the House committee on national defense and security. "I would strongly advise against the proposal of Sec. Gonzales to give the military additional roles during elections. Such a move will only open gray areas which may eventually lead to the military being used for political interests," he added. In a text message to reporters, Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño called Gonzales' proposal "dangerous" as he pointed out allegations that the military was "instrumental" in the alleged cheating in the 2004 and 2007 elections. The military "also systemically campaigned against the progressive party-list groups, resulting in various human rights abuses," he said. "Giving the AFP a greater role means further politicizing the military and giving it greater control over the country's political system at a time when it should be lessened," said Casiño.- Johanna Camille Sisante/RSJ, GMANews.TV