DIPOLOG CITY - The
provincial office of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) in
Zamboanga del Norte, Commission on Election (COMELEC), Philippine National
Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) have successfully
facilitated the signing of the peace covenant among local candidates vying for
various political positions in Zamboanga del Norte.
The
peace covenant signing, which was held recently at Camila Hotel II in this
city, aimed to draw commitment from each candidate to abide by the guidelines
set by COMELEC governing the conduct of the May 2013 midterm elections.
In
his opening statement, DILG-Zamboanga del Norte OIC-Provincial Director Arnel
F. Gudio, lauded the candidates’ support to the covenant signing and he looked
forward to a peaceful political exercise on May 13, 2013 in the province.
First
Infantry Tabak Division Head, Brigadier General Ricardo Rainier Cruz III, on
the other hand, assured the public of the readiness of the military in the area
to extend the needed support to ensure the conduct of a peaceful and orderly
election.
Zamboanga
del Norte is now manned by the 10th Infantry Battalion led by Col.
Leonel Nicolas with more than 2,000 camp detachments strategically stationed in
various locations in the province.
Nicolas
replaced Col. Tarahudin Ampatuan who is currently assigned at the division in
Pulacan, Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur.
“We’ll
do everything to avoid any election-related violence. And we are ready to
augment our force here if necessary. Maasahan ninyo ang tulong ng Philippine
Army (You count on the help of the Army),” Cruz said.
The
candidates who turned up during the covenant signing were former Dipolog City
Mayor Roberto Uy, who runs for governor under the Liberal Party, his running
mate, Dipolog City Vice Mayor Atty. Senen Angeles, third district congressman
Cesar Jalosjos of the Nacionalista Party (NP), candidate for Governor, and his
running mate, incumbent Dapitan City Vice Mayor Patri B. Chan, and first
district congressman Seth Frederick Pal Jalosjos who is running for his second
term.
Absent
during the covenant signing were Atty. Edgar Vicente Balisado - LP
congressional candidate for the first district, incumbent second district
congressman Rosendo S. Labad-labad of LP and his rival, incumbent governor
Rolando E. Yebes of NP, third district congressional candidate Atty. Isagani S.
Amatong of LP and his rival incumbent board member Johanna Jalosjos-Parreno of
NP.
Nonetheless,
Provincial Election Supervisor Atty. Tomas Valera said those who failed to
attend the covenant signing can still affix their signatures on the document at
the COMELEC provincial office.(PIA9)