RSSQUEZON CITY, Philippines (UCAN) — Nerves are frayed in the southern Philippines amid fears of growing election-related violence, Bishop Martin Jumoad of Isabela, Basilan, reported today [Feb. 10].
“Just yesterday, 50 families fled from … Maluso and Sumisip towns,” in the area where landmines exploded earlier in the month, the bishop said.
He said Christian villagers are evacuating “because they are afraid members of an MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front) breakaway group seen in their areas would harass them,” the prelate said over Church-run Radio Veritas.
The MILF, which is preparing to resume peace talks with the government, has denied links to the attacks, saying they were the work of renegades.
On Feb. 2, a soldier died and eight others were wounded in a landmine explosion in Basilan province. Their battalion was heading to Maluso from Sumisip when their truck hit a landmine, police said.
The incident occurred between the villages of Libug and Cabacan from where residents are also fleeing, the bishop reports.
After word spread of sightings of armed men around the villages, “residents just fled leaving their livelihoods behind out of fear of harassment.” Operations of cooperative mills in the area are hampered, he said.
Authorities do not strictly enforce the election gun ban, he added. “I walk around and see people carrying illegal arms.”
The bishop warned the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) officials to provide protection, saying there is a strong threat of kidnappings during elections.
“COMELEC should also prepare for (wireless) signal failures of the automated voting machines they will be using” for the May 10 elections.
He said people will not feel secure and permanent peace cannot be attained if authorities do not seriously enforce laws.
PR08787.1588 February 10, 2010 28 EM-lines (279 words)
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