Zamboanga regional police monitoring 5 private armed groups as election season nears

THE POLICE Regional Office-Zamboanga Peninsula (PRO-09) is closely monitoring the movements of various criminal groups operating in the region as part of security preparations for the midterm election in May next year. Police Regional Director Emmanuel Luis D. Licup, in his yearend report delivered last week, said they have identified “five potential private armed groups” (PAGs) that could possibly be used by politicians during the election period. “They (PAGs) are scattered in the North-eastern part of the peninsula,” he said. Mr. Licup also said that they keeping tabs on at least seven “lawless elements” and 12 criminal gangs operating in the region. The PRO-09 is also watching out for the possible proliferation of drug-related money coming from so-called “narco-politicians” during the elections. “We have the lists and we are continuously monitoring them with our intelligence community. We will not allow drug money to be used during the election,” Mr. Licup said. — Albert F. Arcilla