In hot spot Abra, army-type trucks used in campaign

BANGUED, Abra—Ryan Luna goes around campaigning in barangays here on board one of his army-type trucks that people often mistake for military vehicles. Luna, the son of Rep. Cecilia Seares-Luna, is the incumbent president of the Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) and is running for mayor of this town. “There’s nothing wrong with my owning such vehicles," he said in Ilocano suggesting that “others may also buy (them) in Caloocan," where he bought his trucks. Luna is challenging incumbent Dominic Valera for the post of mayor of Bangued, the third most contested position in Abra, next to governor and congressman. The mayoralty post has always been the subject of intense rivalry, Bangued being the center of Abra and the province’s income tax earner. Luna was on board one of his army-type trucks when his convoy was ambushed in the afternoon of April 11. “We could not retaliate because we were not armed; only my two police escorts were armed," he said. Luna, 33, does not deny that he owns not only three but six army-type trucks, which he says are parked at the Luna residence in Barangay Dangdangla where he is also the barangay captain. A Bangued resident describes Luna’s vehicles as similar to “army trucks fully covered at the back like the ones used during the Japanese time." “He has three: two painted in green and one in black. It is usually filled with supporters," the resident said. Police Senior Supt. Ernesto Gaab said there is no law prohibiting the use of army-type vehicles. He also said that under Land Transportation Office (LTO) regulations, a registered vehicle’s color cannot just be altered because a “clearance is needed to change the color." Gaab said what distinguishes Luna’s vehicles from army trucks are the plate numbers and the campaign posters. He added that members of the Independent Commission Against Private Armies (ICAPA), headed by retired Court of Appeals justice Monina Zeñarosa, visited the Luna residence in February. The commission is tasked to investigate the existence of partisan armed groups (PAGs). Gaab said he could not comment on the Commission’s visit as he was not yet Abra provincial police director then. A source present during the visit of several members of the Zeñarosa Commission said that although the commission did not make any recommendations, the Lunas were advised to have the vehicles properly registered and told that they should not use the trucks to transport armed supporters. To date, no one has filed any formal complaint on the use of the vehicles. When asked if army-type trucks are allowed for use by the candidates during election time, Provincial Election Supervisor Vanessa Roncal pointed to Article 23, Section 261 of the Omnibus Election Code. The law counts as an election offense “the use of armored land, water- or air craft." Covered under the law are “military-type tanks, half trucks, scout trucks, armored trucks, of any make or model, whether new, reconditioned, rebuilt or remodeled." Only banks and financial institutions may be allowed the use of such vehicles, and not more than two. Luna said the vehicles are all registered at the LTO under his name. “I have nothing to hide," he said referring to the legality of his ownership. “I’m not like other candidates who have ordered the killing of several people." He denied allegations that he went around Bangued with goons in long firearms, dressed in military uniforms and threatening people to vote for him. Luna explained that he, his councilors and other supporters visit barangays in Bangued and campaign by holding bingo games. “Many people attend our bingo games. We are overwhelmed by the number of participants," he said. Luna, not known to many to have a sense of humor, said the participants “go home with a smile" because they receive prizes such as grocery packs. In comparison, he said, the participants in his opponent’s dental mission “go home with a frown." Luna’s opponent, Bangued Mayor Valera, 62, goes around campaigning in his SUVs—a Nissan Navarra and Ford pick-ups—which are painted white. He said he chose the color because it stands for “purity." Like Luna, Valera also goes around Bangued with his political leaders and supporters. “We are more or less 60," Valera said, counting the number of people in the convoy, which also goes on “medical and dental missions and conducts house-to-house campaigns." He also said they give away goods to people in the barangays where they are campaigning. “We are always welcome wherever we go," Valera said, adding that people are not afraid of him and his companions like they are of other candidates. Meanwhile, the face of Gov. Eustaquio Bersamin, who is running unopposed, appears in the posters of the opposing congressional candidates—those of his partymate, Lakas-Kampi bet Seares-Luna, and those of he rival, former Bucloc mayor and now Partido ng Masang Pilipino bet Mailed Molina. Although the governor’s face appears in the posters of both candidates, he is said to be supporting still another congressional candidate, PDSP bet Ma. Jocelyn Valera-Bernos, Dominic’s daughter. Gov. Bersamin, however, has not confirmed giving his support to anyone. This situation has caused the incumbent congresswoman Luna to say the governor is a “traitor" and “could not make a stand." Rep. Luna said that in front of their partymates, the governor would say, “Partido tayo (we’re for the party)," but behind her back, he would say, “Joy tayo (we’re for Joy)." Bernos is more popularly known by her nickname Joy. For now, Abra has no towns under Comelec control. Comelec’s Roncal also expressed confidence that candidates who attended the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) this Monday will fulfill their commitment for clean and honest elections, which she said was video documented. She said all key players were present during the PPOC meeting but noticeable for his usual absence was Dominic Valera.—VERA Files/JV, GMANews.TV (VERA Files is put out by veteran journalists taking a deeper look into current issues. Vera is Latin for “true.")