The Philippine National Police (PNP) will monitor 49 private armed groups (PAG) for the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE), PNP Public Information Office (PIO) chief Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan said on Monday, June 26.
According to Maranan, the number of potential PAGs has increased and is very dynamic.
He said there are three active PAGs in the Philippines, and they are looking into whether former Maimbung, Sulu vice mayor Pando Mudjasan's group is one of them.
Over the weekend, Mudjasan's armed gang clashed with the PNP's Special Action Force, resulting in one death and multiple injuries.
The PNP PIO chief stated that the happenings in Mindanao will not change the PNP's determination to pursue and eradicate PAGs or groups that promote violence at any time, especially with elections approaching.
Maranan said that there are 37 probable PAGs in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.
He added that the majority of the more than 40 PAGs they are monitoring are in Bangsamoro, which is why they will put a lot of effort into it.
The BSKE election is scheduled on October 30.
The deadline for the submission of certificates of candidacy (COC) is set on September 2, while the campaign runs from October 19 to October 28.
