The Western Command (WESCOM) called on the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) in Palawan to investigate the recovery of a high-powered firearm of the New People’s Army (NPA) along with election campaign materials of Bayan Muna and Kabataan party-lists in Barangay Culasian, Rizal town on May 3.
Captain Jason Ramon, in a statement released Monday, said that the Joint Task Force Peacock (JTFP) recovered the items following a joint operation in Rizal, southern Palawan.
The operatives recovered one .50 caliber sniper rifle, 16 rounds of cal .50 ammunition, a suppressor for the M14 rifle, assorted communist ideological books, dental paraphernalia, and assorted campaign posters of Bayan Muna and Kabataan party-lists.
Vice Admiral Rene Medina, commander of the WESCOM, said the poll body should look into this immediately because the May 13 election is less than a week.
The latest recovery is a successful feat for the Armed Forces of Philippines (AFP) in Palawan and proved that this was made possible through the cooperation of the communities that are actively supporting the move in fighting terrorism and all forms of security threats.
“We are calling the attention of the COMELEC to look into this matter, with the recovery of campaign posters of the Bayan Muna and Kabataan party-list groups. Likewise, we continuously urge our local stakeholders for peace to sustain the cooperation that has been established through information sharing,” Medina said.
The COMELEC provincial office said it will issue an official statement soon.
