The armed group behind the ambush of Pulupandan Mayor Magdaleno Peña and the New People’s Army rebels who claimed responsibility for the numerous killings in Escalante City in previous elections, will be monitored in next year’s election, Senior Supt. Milko Lirazan, provincial police director, said.

Police records show that majority of the killings of supporters of a politician in Escalante during the 2007 and 2010 elections were claimed by the NPA Jean Pelle Command.

Peña survived the ambush in 2010 and his son, Miguel, is now running unopposed for mayor of Pulupandan next year.

Lirazan said they are also validating the list of barangays in Negros Occidental, with reported sightings of armed rebels, in preparation for the May 2013 elections.

The police said there are five private armed groups existing in Western Visayas, but they are now inactive.

Chief Supt. Agrimero Cruz, regional police director, however, said their members may be re-hired by some politicians in the 2013 elections.

Cruz said the groups have histories of being used as private armies in previous elections.

Although they are now inactive, Cruz said they could not be deleted from the watchlist of the PNP, as there is always a possibility that they will resurrect. *GPB

back to top