MALASIQUI—Former Vice Governor Oscar Lambino hinted there maybe private armies too in Pangasinan and called on the police and military to expand their crackdown beyond Maguindanao.

“Posibleng mayroon dito,” said Lambino and cited the killings of politicians and businessmen and abuses in the province involving bodyguards of known politicians. He didn’t elaborate who have private armies but pointed to the people in the communities in known hotspots who would know better.

Lambino said the crackdown against private armies must be undertaken in the province today in the face of the approaching election.

He said the move of provincial police director Percival Barba to write candidates for the identification of their bodyguards is a step in the right direction but expressed hope that the effort to disband and disarm groups maintained by politicians and businessmen will not end with the letters. —LM

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