MikeLigalig.com

By Mar S. Arguelles

Authorities expressed alarm over the worsening political situation in the island province of Masbate following reports of the rising number of political armed groups (PAGs) sighted in the area.

Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales, in his visit on Friday, received reports about the presence of some 2,500 members of 10 PAGs reportedly hired by warring politicasl clans in Masbate from Luzon and Visayas.

Gonzales met with the Joint Security Coordinating Council (JSCC) and Task Force Masbate to assess the volatile political situation taking place the island province.

At Friday’s joint conference with police, military, Commission on Election (Comelec), the clergy and local officials, four of the eight PAGs operating in the province were validated and identified.

PAGs identified belong to one Valenzuela group with alleged 100 men from Bulacan and a Visaya group, which were employed allegedly by ranking politicians seeking re-election.

Military and police intelligence report estimates that the PAGs are armed with high powered assault firearms and are now deployed in the 21 towns across the province.

The presence of these armed groups, including the New People’s Army (NPA) rebels, makes the island province a political “powder keg” about to explode anytime, said an intelligence official who refused to be named.

Masbate was placed under special police watch until the end of the election period and created Special Task Force (STF) “Masbate” to maintain peace and order and serve as overseer of all law enforcement and security operations in the province in close coordination with the military and other law enforcement agencies in the area.

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