PNP chief orders dismantling of Samar private armies

PALO, Leyte, Sept. 13 (PNA) –- Concerned with the recent spate of killings in Samar province, the country’s top cop has ordered a crackdown of private armed groups (PAGS) allegedly maintained by local politicians.

In a press briefing at the police regional office here Tuesday afternoon, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Dela Rosa directed Samar police provincial director Sr. Supt. Elmer Pelobello to disband all private armies who are allegedly behind the recent killings of village officials and private armies.

“Disband all of them or kill them if they would fight back. I don’t care if these private armies are maintained by the congressman, governor or the mayor,” Dela Rosa said.

The PNP chief asked Pelobello to talk to local politicians and discuss directives to dismantle lawless groups in the province.

“Eliminate private armies, otherwise I will relieve you. This is the best time to disband them because we have the backing of President Rodrigo Duterte,” Dela Rosa told the provincial police chief.

The official added that the new administration don’t allow politicians to interfere in police matters.

“I want to see peace and order in that province. We have to give justice to the victims,” he added.

Meanwhile, Samar 1st district Rep. Edgar Mary Sarmiento had sought the assistance of Dela Rosa to resolve the recent spate of killings perpetrated by PAGS.

In a letter, Sarmiento sought the PNP chief’s intervention in disbanding private armies, believing that the problem could no longer be resolved alone by the PNP provincial and regional offices.

"The series of killings in Samar usually occurs only during election period. However, lately it’s almost every day,” the official noted.

Village chief Darwin Tan of Payahan village, this city, was the latest victim. He was gunned down on Sept. 9 while he was about to send his son to school.

“I am passing along this cry for help I received from the people of Calbayog City and Samar province. This is about persecution of our people in the first district of Samar. They are being persecuted for supporting local officials,” Sarmiento claimed.

In the first week September alone, six village officials and political leaders in Calbayog City were shot dead by unidentified private armies, police records show.

He likewise appealed to Dela Rosa to help resolve murder cases in Calbayog City and nearby towns of Sta. Margarita, San Jorge, Gandara and Matuginao.

Dela Rosa vowed to deploy the PNP-Special Action Force to Samar province if the police would not be able to curb the problem in few months. 

Early this year, the police regional office reported that PAGS with 158 firearms thrive in Calbayog City and nearby towns within the first congressional district of Samar province.

Montealto group based in Calbayog City has the most number of members at 65, followed by Moloboco group with a force of 44 armed men based in nearby Sta. Margarita town. These two groups are in control of 129 firearms. (PNA)
LAP/SARWELL Q. MENIANO & JAZMIN BONIFACIO/EGR