Agreement signed to limit role of soldiers

Manila: Defence and election officials signed an agreement yesterday to limit the role of soldiers in elections and and their involvement in Philippine politics.

"This is a big step towards the insulation of the Armed Forces from politics," said Defence chief Avelino Cruz Jr moments after the signing ceremony at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club in Mandaluyong City.

Cruz represented the defence department while Commission on Elections chairman Benjamin Abalos represented the commission. Armed Forces chief General Hermogenes Esperon Jr signed as witness on behalf of the military.

Other military officers present were Army chief Lt Gen Romeo Tolentino, Navy Flag Officer-in-Command Vice-Admiral Mateo Mayuga and Air Force chief Lt Gen Jose Reyes. Election Commissioners Resurreccion Borra and Romeo Brawner were also present at the MOA signing.

Cruz said the agreement will take effect in next year's elections which will also cover memorandums and plebiscites.

Under the agreement, the military's role will be limited to providing security to areas covered by serious armed threat, manning checkpoints and enforcing the election gun ban.

The deputation of the military will not include performance of poll duties like counting or canvassing of votes, clustering of precincts, transportation of ballots, other election paraphernalia and election results, jobs they previously performed.