Comelec: 32 suspected members of private armies nabbed in Laguna

Thirty-two suspected members of private armed groups have been arrested in Laguna just days before Eleksyon 2022, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said on Thursday.

Election Commissioner George Garcia said the Comelec would soon announce if the activities of those arrested were related to the elections or had anything to do with any of the local candidates in the province.

“We are hoping that proper charges would be filed, and if this is election-related, likewise, and who are the principals behind these alleged private armed groups," Garcia said.

"Masyado po kasing madami, 32 lahat sila (they are quite plenty),” he added.

Garcia commended the arresting officers who were in charge of the operations against the said people.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) previously listed 105 towns and 15 cities as election areas of concern under the highest red category.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said it would deploy over 40,000 personnel all over the country to monitor such areas. —NB, GMA News