By Priam Nepomuceno/PNA
MANILA — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday denied reports claiming that government officials have conspired with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to ensure the win of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) in the recent plebiscites.
“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 to the men and women of the AFP who dutifully performed their election duties,” AFP spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said in a message to reporters Monday.
Arevalo was reacting to Cotabato City Mayor Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi’s claims that government, military, and Commission on Elections and the MILF conspired to ensure that Cotabato City would fall under the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
“We hope that the good Mayor of Cotabato City will bring her charges to the proper forum and substantiate her allegations than besmirch the good reputation of the AFP through media,” Arevalo said.
He added that the AFP remains “professional, non-partisan, and true to its mandate of protecting the people in the exercise of their political rights and in electing their leaders who will manage the affairs of the state”.
During the Jan. 21 plebiscite to ratify the BOL, the “Yes” vote won in Cotabato City.
