Gonzales cites lawlessness in Masbate

The province of Masbate in the Bicol region may have to be put under the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) control given the spate of politically motivated killings carried out by private armed groups, the Defense department said on Sunday. In a statement, Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales said the local military and police have painted a picture of a province where lawlessness is king and where communities are terrorized by political henchmen. “The situation now in Masbate reminds me of Maguindanao," added Gonzales, referring to the use of private armies by political clans to perpetuate themselves in power and terrorize the supporters of their rivals. Fifty-seven people were massacred in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao last November 23 allegedly by private armies of the powerful Ampatuan family, whose members are now facing multiple murder charges before a Quezon City court. Gonzalez, who visited the province last Friday, noted the spate of politically-motivated killings in recent months and the presence of private armed groups. About 10 private militias have been identified, but none has been disbanded so far. Earlier, the Philippine National Police (PNP) noted that while suspected members of private armies had been arrested in Masbate, armed groups thrive because their leaders and other members were still at large. Gonzales also criticized what he said was the province’s paralyzed justice system. “[The Armed Forces and PNP] say that law enforcement in the province is highly politicized and even the prosecution and Judiciary are politicized or under extreme pressure," he said. Last January, the PNP placed Masbate under “special police watch" due to the presence of private armies that may cause election-related violence. A police elite unit was also sent to Masbate last month after the province and 13 other provinces were tagged as election hotspots —areas where violent incidents rise as elections near. Last month, the leader of the Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) in Esperanza town was shot dead while still unidentified gunmen raided the house of Claveria Councilor Monching Radan. The Comelec was also looking at placing Masbate under its control following reports that communist-led insurgency had been growing in the province. On Sunday, Gonzales said the Comelec would have to decide whether the province should be placed under its control. — SMD/NPA, GMANews.TV