Lawyer Joven Laura of Bayan Muna party-list Monday asked the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to stop harassing his group and the campaigners of Makabayan senatorial candidates Satur Ocampo and Liza Maza.

Laura issued the appeal to new AFP Chief of Staff Delfin Bangit and Army Chief, Major Gen. Reynaldo Mapagu, following the pledge of the two to abide by the Constitution and not allow themselves to be used to boost the campaigns of President Arroyo’s candidates in the May 10 elections.

The Bayan Muna nominee accused some soldiers of harassing the campaigners of Ocampo and Maza in Sorsogon, and several have been manhandled by officers and even retired officials.

They also allegedly threatened to kill the campaigners of Bayan Muna after destroying their posters and other campaign materials.

“It’s high time that the army reminds itself of its sworn obligation to protect the people and defend the Constitution,” Laura said.

Bangit had earlier issued an appeal to candidates not to use soldiers in “partisan” political activities.
Mapagu promised to rein in his troops and urged them to be “non-partisan,” and those violating his order will be sanctioned.

“But we have yet to see Bangit and Mapagu prove their adherence to the Constitution and put a stop to the military's campaign against Makabayan, Bayan Muna, and other progressive party-list groups,” Laura added.

Recently, reports of the military harassing volunteers of Makabayan and progressive party-list groups have multiplied after the campaign period started.

In Sorsogon, a certain officer allegedly slapped and threatened Makabayan volunteers with his service pistol while in Calamba,Laguna, the midnight feeding program was allegedly used by the military as a ploy to harass local officials and Bayan Muna leaders.