Editorial
Proof of PAGs
GUNS, goons and gold still loom large
Gold in the form of cold cash remains a formidable weapon for vote-buying. Here in Pangasinan in the last 2007 national and local election, money was used in appalling efforts to buy off voters. But of the three items, gold perhaps poses the least dreadful threat to a clean and truly democratic election as the Filipino voting population matures and become more sensible – either becoming more discerning in their choices or simply making a cunning move of taking the money from politicians without selling out their vote.
Guns and goons, embodied in private armies or the so-called partisan armed groups (PAGs), are the more alarming dangers. These literally kill – not only kill political rivals and kill people in the communities, but kill democracy as well.
Efforts to dismantle PAGs all over the country have been intensified recently, particularly after the gruesome murders in Maguindanao carried out allegedly by members of the ruling Ampatuan clan that have accumulated a stock of untold armaments, ranging from guns to tanks, and a private army with members numbering in the two thousands. Finally, the tolerant and relaxed policy of the police took a heavy toll, and the only logical response is to finally dismantle others before the situation worsens.
Last week, Superintendent Romeo Caramat, chief of the intelligence branch of the Provincial Police Office, revealed to local newsmen that there are six municipalities in Pangasinan that have politicians with private armies. These are Umingan, San Nicolas, San Manuel, Infanta, Balungao and Bolinao. Caramat went further by naming 1st District Rep. Arturo Celeste and his two other brothers in politics as among those who have a PAG.
Celeste has quickly refuted the allegation and threatened to file a libel complaint against Caramat. Celeste’s challenge to the police to arrest him and his brothers is also reasonable because under the law, candidates found to be linked to directly maintaining a private army could be charged and litigated.
Whether true or not, deservedly or not, the police found itself in a potentially sticky situation where officers face charges of irresponsible acts and statements for its policy of issuing mere leaks and grand pronouncements to media. Their only defense now lies in the solid evidence they have in their possession.
But whether the accusations and denials are founded, the silver lining in this issue is the heightened awareness in communities about a no-nonsense campaign of the government against private armies.
The private armies must go!
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