Unlawful arrests and abductions
The election campaign also witnessed several incidents of abductions and arrests of members of progressive party-list groups.
On the eve of the elections, five members of Bayan Muna in Leyte were arrested and detained by the local police. They were accused of distributing campaign materials in violation of the campaign ban day before election day. The five however said they were simply on their way to their own barangays to distribute appointments of poll watchers. They were released on May 11 since the charges against them lacked merit.
Meanwhile, four armed men on board a black Delica van abducted two coordinators of the party-list Bayan Muna (People First) last Feb. 21. Jacqueline Paguntalan, 26, of Taft, Eastern Samar, and Rolando Fortaliza, 30, of Ormoc City, were reportedly abducted morning of Feb. 21 at Agta Beach in Brgy. Kilim, Baybay town in Northern Leyte while they were on their way out after they took some refreshment. The two came to Baybay, Leyte to attend a meeting of the party. The two are still missing as of press time.
On March 10, Joy Paloma, community organizer of the party-list Anakpawis (Toiling Masses) was arrested by elements of the 46th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army at Brgy. Hiloctugan, Carigara, Leyte on suspicion of being a New People’s Army (NPA) organizer.
Meanwhile, two members of Anakpawis party-list in Capoocan town were reportedly coerced by elements of the 46th IB headed by 1Lt. Eugene Muyco to accompany soldiers in full battle gear during their military operation within the area.
Military and police intervention?
Just before the elections, massive movements of troops and redeployments were monitored in the region.
On May 5, elements of the 20th IB PA were deployed to Calbayog City in Western Samar and Catarman in Northern Samar.
Troops from the 46th IB PA were also monitored in Dagami town in Leyte. They temporarily occupied the town’s gymnasium during their stay in the area. Meanwhile, several companies from the same army unit conducted foot patrols in Luneta, Lapaz and Sta. Isabel, MacArthur and in the towns of Jaro and Carigara in Leyte.
Active military operations were noted in the towns of Silvino Lobos, San Isidro, Victoria in Northern Samar; Matuguinao, Gandara, San Jorge, Motiong, Paranas, Pinabacdao, Sta. Rita and Basey in Western Samar; Borongan in Eastern Samar; Lapaz, MacArthur and Albuera in Northern Leyte.
Despite reinforced police and military presence in the areas, failures of elections were declared in several barangays in Calbayog City and Ormoc City, which were considered to be “election hotspots” several months before the polls.
In Lapaz, Leyte, elements of the 19th IB PA reportedly tore off Anak ng Bayan and Bayan Muna campaign posters in the vicinity of Brgy. Luneta during their military operation. “This is tantamount to campaigning against the progressive party-lists, which is prohibited among government officials by our anti-electioneering laws,” said Asher Allunar, regional coordinator of Anak ng Bayan (Nation’s Youth) Youth Party. 
