ILOILO CITY - Deputy Minority Leader and Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo has accused the administration of fabricating criminal charges against militant legislators to prevent partylist groups from regaining their seats through the May elections.

Ocampo said he receive a subpoena on Wednesday related to a complaint for murder in the killing of three members of militant groups in Nueva Ecija.

Ocampo, Representatives Lisa Maza, Teodoro Casiño and Rafael Mariano are among those named as suspects in the murder of Danilo Felipe, Jimmy Peralta and Carlito Bayudan who were separately killed from 2001 to 2004.

"This is part of the political harassment and persecution of the administration to tie us down during the campaign period," Ocampo said in an interview during the Bayan Muna regional convention here.

He said the charges are part of a project being initiated by the Inter-Agency Legal Action Group led by National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales together with Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez to block the electoral bid of Bayan Muna, Anakpawis, Gabriela Women's Party, Kabataan Party and Suara Bangsamoro.

The partylist legislators are also facing rebellion charges related to the alleged failed coup in February last year.

Ocampo said the partylist groups remain unfazed and are confident of increasing their seats in the House despite the cases and the continued killings of its leaders and members. He said 127 Bayan Muna leaders and members have been killed since 2001.

Bayan Muna topped the partylist elections with 1.2 million votes in the 2004 elections. It got a total of 3 million votes along with Anakpawis and Gabriela Women's Party.

The partylist groups are aiming to increase their seats from six to at least 10 representatives in the May elections.

"If there is no widespread electoral fraud, we will surely win these seats," Ocampo said.

But he acknowledged that the campaign this year will be much harder than in 2001 and 2004. He pointed out that unlike in the previous elections, they are now faced with a "systematic and all-out offensive" by the administration to prevent their chances of winning and gaining more seats.

He said the administration is openly supporting seven pro-administration to partylist groups a part of the efforts to block the reelection of the militant partylist groups.

"The administration is reserving its worst attack not on the opposition parties but on our parties. But we must stand firm, persevere and win," Ocampo told those present at the convention.*NPB

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