‘Kumander Bravo’ assures protection for voters
COTABATO CITY – Abdullah “Kumander Bravo” Macapaar, the feisty head of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) North Western Mindanao Command, reportedly issued last Monday an advisory assuring protection for voters, who may face intimidation after receiving kadori (bribe money) and voting for candidates other than the vote-buying politicians.
“Some of you (Lanao voters) may have already received the kandori (bribe money). Don’t’ let this impede
your right to vote for candidates of your hearts’ choice. If bribe-givers return after elections to intimidate you for voting other candidates, please let us know. We will fight for you,” Macapaar, now an appointed minister of Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), said in advisory written in Maranao dialect.
This developed as Lanao del Sur Vice Governor Mamintal “Bombit” Adiong Jr. denied claims that his camp has resorted to vote-buying in his gubernatorial bid, as well as the candidacy of his relatives and political allies in Marawi City and across the province.
Adiong was reacting to claims in social and traditional media that his camp has resorted to bribing voters in his fading bid for a fourth gubernatorial stint.
He was elected governor in 2007, 2010 and 2013. In 2016, he ran for vice governor and won alongside his mother, now incumbent Gov. Bedjoria Soyara Alonto-Adiong. He is now running for governor in tandem with his son, vice gubernatorial aspirant Mujam under the Lakas/Christian-Muslim Democrats.
He deemed the allegation “serious,” but dared complainants to lodge complaint in proper legal forum, “not via social media or trial by publicity.”
Adiong particularly reacted to a report that quoted retired police and military officials and former National Labor Relations (NLRC) commissioner Salic Dumarpa as urging the President and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to sanction Adiong’s alleged vote-buying, and place the province under Comelec control.
In such report, Dumarpa said he had secured 675 affidavits from voters in nine towns of Lanao del Sur, attesting to the Adiong camp’s alleged distribution of cash, along with the shortlist of candidates to be voted upon.
Dumarpa alleged that the pooled bribe money was earmarked at R500 per vote for Adiong’s gubernatorial bid; R500 for his son Mujam’s vice gubernatorial run; R1,000 for his brother’s (Ansaruddin) reelection as first district congressman; R3,000 for Marawi reelection-seeking mayor Majul Gandamra; and R1,000 for Anoar Rumoros’ city vice mayoral candidacy.
In exposing the alleged anomaly, members of the so-called Lanao Sur Military and Police Retirees Reform Movement and Dumarpa proposed for the declaration of Lanao del Sur under Comelec control or a failure of election that would warrant appointment of OICs in the province’s elective positions.