Members of labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno and Anakpawis Partylist stormed today the Armed Forces of the Philippines’s (AFP) urban den in Valenzuela as part of a campaign to expose growing urban militarization and the military’s electioneering versus progressive partylists and candidates.

Dubbed “Bisita-Militar,” the campaign was launched after members of KMU and Anakpawis confirmed that military forces basing in several areas in Metro Manila have been conducting house-to-house visits to convince people not to vote for senatorial candidates Satur Ocampo and Liza Maza, and progressive partylists like Anakpawis.

“We condemn the military’s desperate campaign against progressive partylists and lawmakers in their twisted belief that we are fronts of the CPP-NPA in Congress. We abhor such cheap scare tactic – even brandishing rifles in urban communities in order to scare away volunteers and organizers of progressive groups,” said Roger Soluta, KMU secretary-general.

“Instead of convincing people to believe in Gloria Arroyo’s regime, the military is even convincing more and more Filipinos that this government is a regime of terror and fear,” he added.

Anakpawis secretary-general Cherry Clemente said the 73rd squad of the Air Force has based in a multi-purpose hall just beside a local chapter’s office in Valenzuela. She said eight soldiers have even asked Anakpawis members to remove their flag draped on their office door. 

“Perhaps the military is becoming more blatant and outright in its desperation to ruin the congressional bid of representatives of the toiling masses. But whatever scheme they may employ, the central issue is that they have no business staying in barangays in cities,” said Clemente.

“In many instances, they have pretended to do community work in Metro Manila. But in reality, they are carrying out a campaign against progressive partylists and candidates, which is a clear violation of the law.” 

“Armed men roaming and doing house-to-house visits constitute the clearest threat to the peaceful conduct of elections and to electoral democracy, to which any partylist or candidate is entitled. Soldiers in NCR barangays should leave immediately,” Clemente added.

The “Bisita-Militar” will also be conducted in other areas in Metro Manila infested with elements of the AFP, after which Anakpawis and other progressive partylists will file a complaint to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) asking the agency to drive out the military from urban communities. #