Declaration of Abra under Comelec control dangles

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As police monitors other Cordi provinces

BAGUIO CITY (Feb. 3) — Declaring Abra province under Commission on Election (Comelec) control remains undecided despite recognition that the said province is prone to election-related violence.

Comelec Director Armando Velasco said only a “serious armed threat” would compel the Comelec en banc to declare a province under direct control.

Comelec Resolution number 7773 only required “a serious armed threat” for declaring an area under direct control. It includes the active presence of paramilitary groups, private armed groups or private armed bands including that of New People’s Army presence.

Velasco said Abra’s situation does not yet warrant Comelec’s direct control despite possibilities of violence in the province as shown in its long history of poll-related skirmishes between supporters and paid goons of rival politicians.

Velasco said that aside from Abra, the Comelec is also concerned with Kalinga and Apayao provinces where poll-related problems is anticipated.

During the last 2004 election, ballot snatching was reported in Tinglayan, Kalinga and provincial election supervisor Julius Angadol was slain in Apayao.

Some areas in Mountain Province where communist rebels are believed to operate are being monitored, added Velasco.

All police directors of the six provinces of the Cordillera including Baguio City met with Velasco on February 1 to assess the situation and no province so far was seen to pose serious threats.

Abra Governor Vicente Valera earlier submitted a petition to declare Abra under Comelec direct control. He also asked the election body to replace all Abra police officers including Task Force Abra contingents for alleged bias against him and his allies.

Valera also accused TF Abra Commander Sr. Supt. Eugene Martin of partiality against him, his wife, Bangued Mayor Ma. Cita Valera, and other political allies. Martin denied this allegation.

Valera also complained that the police only tagged his allies for maintaining armed goons while those who are against him included despite public knowledge that they too have goons.

The January 30 hearing of the Comelec en banc on Valera’s petition was postponed to February 6. # Ace Alegre for NORDIS