AFP denies conspiracy with MILF to ensure inclusion of Cotabato City to BARMM

• Feb 14, 2019
• Al Iskandar, Luwaran
• HITS: 1286

Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao— The Armed Forces of the Philippines dismissed the allegations of Cotabato City Mayor Frances Cynthia Guiani Sayadi that the government and military officials conspired with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to ensure the inclusion of the city to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in the plebiscite held last month, Inquirer.Net reported on February 11.

“This is an unfortunate occasion where the AFP, despite diligently performing its mandate 24/7, is being accused of a malpractice. This is grossly unfair of the AFP who dutifully performed their election duties,” said AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Eduard Arevalo in a statement.

From the very start, Mayor Sayadi was against the inclusion of Cotabato City fearing that once Cotabato City joins the BARMM she will be marginalized in the upcoming 2019 Midterm elections as her opponent Bai Sandra Sema was instrumental in the passage of the Bangsamoro Organic Law in congress.  

Large tarpaulins that contained, YES TO FEDERALISM, NO TO BOL were visible in the city prior to the plebiscite.

During the January 21st plebiscite the “yes” vote won with 36,682 votes, while the “no” vote garnered 24,994.

Mayor Sayadi in a recent interview said that she will elevate the matter to the Supreme Court with the argument that the MILF resorted to harassment and intimidation during the plebiscite.

She said military officials also promised to disperse the MILF around the polling centers but there was no corresponding action, the Inquirer.net said in its report.

Arevalo urged Sayadi to bring up the charges to the proper forum and substantiate her allegations.

Maj. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of 6th Infantry Division, also rejected the allegations of Sayadi.

“I hope the good mayor is happy with her storyline. We never and will ever take side in any political exercise. Our intent is to provide a democratic space and let democracy work,” he said. (Source: Inquirer.net)

• ← Previous Post
• Next Post →