MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur--The Department of National Defense (DND) urged political candidates in the province to respect and observe the peace covenant they signed to ensure a safe and orderly election on May 9.
DND Undersecretary Reynaldo Mapagu told local candidates that to bring the agenda of peace forward, they should start by making the covenant morally binding for all and holding each other accountable.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in partnership with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police spearheaded the first BARMM Peace Covenant Signing in Lanao del Sur on Saturday, March 26, where candidates for governor, vice governor, congressional representatives, provincial board members, and mayors in the province pledge for peaceful polls and signed an integrity covenant.
Mapagu also conveyed DND's support for the covenant signing emphasizing that they condemn all forms of electoral violence, harassment, and political intimidation.
"We stand for a peaceful exercise of democracy as enshrined in our Constitution. It is our goal to let the voice of our people be heard and let them decide who will lead our country in the years to come," he said.
The covenant signing was witnessed by Comelec chairperson Saidamen B. Pangarungan, Comelec Commissioners George Erwin M. Garcia and Aimee T. Neri, AFP chief-of-staff LtGen. Andres Centino, Police LtGen. Jose Chiquito Malayo, Comelec BARMM regional director Ray Sumalipao, and other top officials of the PNP and the Philippine Army. (APB/PIA Lanao del Sur)
No comments