Election Update: Campaigning Soldiers
In the name of “Security”, the military has been deploying its soldiers to depressed urban areas of Metro Manila. A whole lot of controversy, to say the least, is being stirred up because of this move. This is a coordinated move by the military, but they remain firm that it’s not electioneering. But ask the residents and you’ll probably get a different answer.
“Commission on Elections chair Benjamin Abalos Sr. has called on the Armed Forces of the Philippines to investigate reports that soldiers were engaging in partisan politics in Metro Manila.”
That’s just great, have the head of the AFP investigate its own arm, what if, and I’m guessing this is likely, the orders are coming from the top? You’re basically telling the head of the illegal campaign crew to investigate itself.
The Allegations/Complaints
Soldiers have been making campaign pitches. Urging residents not to vote for certain party-list groups, claiming such groups would be the people’s ruin.
Going house to house, intimidating civilians and campaigning actively against certain candidates and party-list organizations participating in the upcoming … elections,
Allegations have come in that they are also rooting out activists
The Ever Changing Lies
Now, we get to the excuses that we seem to be getting from the military.
- The military admitted it had deployed soldiers in 27 mostly depressed barangays in Metro Manila as part of a “holistic approach” to the insurgency problem. It said this had nothing to do with the current election campaign.
- the soldiers told residents they were there to keep law and order, and help out in their land dispute with the government.
- “maintain peace and order,” and serve as “bridge to the solution of problems and concerns” in the barangay, the memo said. (In Barangay Commonwealth, this was around 4 months ago)
- doing civic action work like conducting medical and dental missions and building and repairing canals, roads and sidewalks. (I didn’t realize, that they were doing the work of DPWH and the department of Health)
- (March 7) The military officer and enlisted personnel deployed to some of Metro Manila poorest villages are there as part of their training before being sent abroad on peacekeeping missions, the military and police said Tuesday.
Gloria: Head of Office of Economic Affairs?
When asked about the issue, here’s what Arroyo had to say,
“I will leave that to the AFP to respond to. That’s not an economic issue,” the President said after a roundtable discussion on global warming at the Palace.
Apparently, she is reducing the office of the president to “The Office of Economic Affairs”, of course this only occurs when the issues that she is asked about are not of her liking. Last I heard, she was president, not a cabinet secretary.
However in recent reports,
During a visit to troops at a detachment at the Baseco compound in Manila’s Tondo district, Major General Ben Mohammad Dolorfino said the Arroyo told him: “Congratulations and keep up the good work.”
Dolorfino said during their brief talk Arroyo made no mention of an earlier Palace suggestion to draw a timeline for the pullout of troops.
The Smoking Gun
Here’s a video that clearly shows the extent to which the propaganda war is being waged in the depressed areas of Manila. The military is seen in and around the staged propaganda speeches.
Jove has some insights on this video, and how it came to be,
Related Video
(note: the statement by the military is misleading, since there have been soldiers seen with rifles around their shoulders)
Survey Says…
Despite the all out war against the Party List Groups, the targeted groups are still way up in the surveys.
Some Closing Thoughts
I think the military can walk around with their rifles, campaign against party list groups, and even try to intimidate the citizens. But in the end, The Filipino people vote, and there’s only you and a piece of paper as your witness while you vote — No military soldiers will be doing the voting for you, and hopefully there will be no voter intimidation as well. I believe that there haven’t been any formal complaints, because frankly, who in their right mind will complain amidst the high volume of soldiers.
And remember that when the story keeps changing, even if it’s just slight changes, or the story is being added unto, in any case, there is usually some lying, or hiding of the truth going on. The military and this administration have been scrambling for the best excuse, and in that process, they have been caught playing fast and loose with the truth.
Resources:
Soldiers holding dialogues, not campaigning AFP
Militants file charges vs AFP for poll violation
Palace: Change of uniforms but no pullout of Metro troops
Military reservists join urban patrol
Militants’ calls for pullout of troops rejected
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Yes, the decision will always rest on the voter. But propaganda against certain parties when conducted by supposed to be impartial institutions of government is plain electioneering. With the different explanations offered, clearly, the AFP knows what they have been doing is illegal and in some ways, a form of human rights violation.