AS the 2022 national and local elections near, government forces are monitoring some 126 potential private armed groups (PAGs) operating in Western Mindanao, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said yesterday.
The number is on top of seven PAGs confirmed to be operating in the area — five in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and two in SOCCSKSARGEN.
“We continue to monitor these 126 potential armed groups and, of course, we are exerting effort to neutralize these,” said Año, also the chairman of the National Task Force-Disbandment of Private Armed Groups.
In a press briefing in Zamboanga City yesterday, Año said the 126 potential PAGs are under watch by the national task force, through its Task Group Western Mindanao and Task Group on Intelligence.
Año was in Zamboanga City to lead a meeting and signing by national and local government officials and military and police officers of an agreement to “aggressively dismantle and disband private armed groups” in their areas.
Lt. Gen. Chiquito Malayo, director of the Directorate for Integrated Police Operations-Western Mindanao, said the 126 are just potential PAGs, “meaning they are not yet activated or being used by some politicians or businessmen.”
Malayo said there are seven PAGs known to be operating in Western Mindanao — five in BARRM and two in SOCCSKSARGEN — “that we are monitoring and subject for disbandment.” He said these seven groups have 363 members and 237 firearms.
Malayo said there are no active PAGs or potential PAGs in Eastern Mindanao.
“Ahead of the next year’s elections, PAGs operations are likely to spread since candidates have been tapping these groups against their political enemies and to advance their political interest,” said Año.
Among the charges that can be filed against people involved in the operation of PAGs are illegal possession of firearms and explosives and violation of the anti-terrorism law, said Año.
Año added the task force is exerting efforts to dismantle PAGs not only in Mindanao but also in Luzon and in the Visayas.
He said there is a need to intensify the campaign against PAGs, noting that “traditionally in history, we see a rise in their activities when elections are approaching.”
Año said some politicians use PAGs to gather campaign funds, to silence opposition or rivals in the elections and to dissuade rivals from running in the polls.
