JOLO ISLAND, 17 May 2004 — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) have stepped up its surveillance of former and active military officers, who are allegedly recruiting soldiers and civilians to “destabilize” the government.
Braullo Balbas, a retired general, and an active army colonel identified as Jose Gamus were seen in this southern island last week allegedly convincing soldiers and civilians to join their group, which is associated with politicians opposed to the President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, said Brig. Gen. Gabriel Habacon, commander of the military’s anti-terror group Joint Task Force Comet.
“We have received reports that Balbas and Gamus were convincing soldiers and civilians to join their group. We have witnesses who told us that they were being recruited to destabilize the government for political reason,” Habacon told reporters in Jolo.
Habacon said Gamus even told some soldiers in Jolo that he would be the next commander of the elite Presidential Security Group (PSG) should Poe, a movie star, wins the elections.
“Gamus was already bragging about a lot of things, but he forgot that he violated the election law by openly campaigning for politicians. The military should remain neutral and non-partisan,” he said.
The military said the two men belong to a group of former generals that is supporting opposition presidential candidate Fernando Poe Jr. Military chief of staff Gen. Narciso Abaya had repeatedly warned soldiers to stay away from politics.
The opposition denied involvement in any plot to destabilize the government, but it accused Arroyo of massive cheating in the May 10 national and local elections.
The military also denied reports that it was covering up for the massive cheating in Jolo island after commanders ordered the counting of votes inside the tightly guarded headquarters of the army’s 104th Infantry Brigade. Habacon said the Commission on Elections ordered the vote counting inside the base because of the tense political situation and the threats of terror attacks here by the Al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group.
“We have nothing to hide. Election watchers and independent groups are welcome to see the counting of votes. We are only protecting the ballots and the people,” he said.
The military said the Abu Sayyaf is planning to disrupt the counting of votes, aside from the threats of violence between armed supporters of losing politicians. Last week, a roadside bomb that bore the trademark of the Abu Sayyaf exploded in the village of Busbus in downtown Jolo, killing a 14-year old Muslim girl and wounding 11 others.
Initial election results in Jolo showed Arroyo leading in the polls by a slim margin. The island has more than 200,000 registered voters. Election officials said vote counting inside the military base was orderly and peaceful with troops guarding all areas where it is being held.
