FINAL REPORT - Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism

“slacken” his otherwise very strict election security measures in Lanao del Sur, made
possible by the fact that his Marine commander Brig. Gen. Francisco Gudani was
irregularly relieved from duty and instructed to go to Manila, play golf or go to Boracay
at the height of the counting of votes
“THE CHAIRMAN. … I would like to pursue a question of Colonel
Balutan. When you were there and during the conduct of
elections, including the campaign period, the casting of the
votes, and then the counting of the votes, did anyone
approach you to try to suggest to you, to advice you, to
influence you, to order you, or to bribe you to commit any act
which you would think is violative of the Election Code?
MR. BALUTAN. I can only remember, Mr. Chairman, that when the
replacement of General Gudani, Colonel Pirino assumed as
the…
THE CHAIRMAN. As task force commander.
MR. BALUTAN. …as task force commander.
THE CHAIRMAN. Right.
MR. BALUTAN. … which he was, in fact, telling us to, you know,
support the administration.
THE CHAIRMAN. Did he say this?
SEN. LACSON. In the election.
MR. BALUTAN. In the election, sir.
THE CHAIRMAN. Did he say this?
MR. BALUTAN. Yes, sir.
THE CHAIRMAN. As task force commander that was temporarily at that
point exercising operational control over you.
MR. BALUTAN. Yes, sir.
THE CHAIRMAN. Did he specify, did he define how this is going to
be done?
MR. BALUTAN. I do not know the mechanics of – there, sir, but in my
capacity as the battalion commander, mine is only security and…
THE CHAIRMAN. Yes.
91