THE National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections has urged the Commission on Elections to move its Maguindanao office from Shariff Aguak to another location following the massacre of at least 57 civilians on their way to the local Comelec office for the filing of the certificate of candidacy of a gubernatorial hopeful.
The poll watchdog also asked the Comelec to consider holding an early election in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and put the entire region, especially Maguindanao, under its control.
In a statement, the Namfrel said the Comelec Maguindanao office may be moved to the former provincial capitol in Simuay, Sultan Kudarat.
It also suggested that the elections in ARMM be held one week early.
Namfrel’s statement:
The National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) strongly condemns the brutal politically-motivated killings in Maguindanao of political supporters and journalists.
We call upon President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to take a firm and decisive action immediately to go after the perpetrators of this heinous crime, and for the government to consider this and other recent tragedies involving elected officials and election staff not mere election-related violence but criminal acts that need to be dealt with to the fullest extent of the law.
For Maguindanao, we call on President Arroyo to create an impartial investigative team composed of the NBI, PNP, CHR, & DOJ, that would look into this matter and submit a report that will be made public within a reasonable time. We also call upon the PNP to completely revamp their ranks in the province to ensure that their people are nonpartisan.
Once perpetrators are positively identified, we urge that they be immediately arrested and brought to Manila.
We call upon the COMELEC to move their Maguindanao office to another location, perhaps to the former provincial capitol in Simuay, Sultan Kudarat. We also urge the COMELEC to consider holding an early election in the ARMM, perhaps one week early, and to put the entire ARMM, especially Maguindanao, under COMELEC control.
NAMFREL appeals to all parties concerned to restrain themselves from retributive acts of justice, and we condemn the pervading climate of impunity, coercion and terror to maintain or secure elective positions, that give rise to warlordism and further violence.
We urge the dismantling of all private armies and the confiscation of their firearms, starting with known warring factions not only in Maguindanao but also in places that historically are considered hot spots every election.