2 soldiers nabbed for partisan politics in CamSur

Two Army soldiers and a policeman were arrested on Sunday for participating in what was considered as a partisan political activity in Camarines Sur province. Cpl. Joemarie Garete and Pfc. Melvin Bongat were arrested for acting as security personnel for gubernatorial candidate Winifredo Oco without permission from the military leadership, according to Maj. Harold Cabunoc, spokesman of the 9th Infantry Division. The two were nabbed at about 6 p.m. Sunday along with PO2 Randy Raro and civilians Joemar Bardon, 30; Rodrigo Villafuerte, 34; and Edgar Villafuerte, Cabunoc said Garete and Bongat were nabbed while aboard an Isuzu Altera vehicle owned by Oco. “They are not authorized to escort. They went out of their camp without any permission. They are escort without approval [from authorities]," said Cabunoc. Seized from them were three more firearms, including two Cal .45 pistols and a Cal 5.56mm M16A1 rifle. The arrested security personnel are now detained in Camarines Norte Provincial Police Office while a case of illegal possession of firearms is readied against them. Lt. Col Luis Rex D Bergante, commander of the 31st Infantry Battalion, said the two soldiers would be recommended for dishonorable discharge from the service. “We will never tolerate any violators of the [Armed Forces of the Philippines] directives regarding elections. I had always reminded them to avoid engaging in partisan political activity. I have also relieved the Company Commander of these soldiers due to command responsibility," said Bergante. —KBK, GMANews.TV