LABANGAN, Zamboanga del Sur –
Stakeholders are optimistic that with the signing of the peace covenant, all candidates
of this town will adhere to uphold a peaceful and safe balloting on May 13,
2013.
The Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in
coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Army (PA),
Commission on Elections (COMELEC), Department of the Interior and Local
Government (DILG), and church and
religious sector recently spearheaded a covenant signing ceremony with the
local candidates from the Liberal Party (LP) and Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC)at
the Municipal Function Hall this municipality.
DILG Provincial Director Abcede Asjali said the
presence of everyone was a manifestation of support to safe, accurate and fair
election.
“The presence of our stakeholders, candidates and
public gave us an assurance that there will be an honest, orderly and peaceful
election not only in Labangan but in the province as well,” Abcede declared.
Abcede also urged the public to help monitor the
compliance with the election peace pact of all candidates vying for local
positions in the province.
Zamboanga del Sur Police Provincial Office’s
(ZSPPO)Assistant Provincial Director for Operations Jalilul Bandahala lauded
the CSO’s initiative in a bid to ensure the conduct of honest, orderly and
peaceful elections in the municipality. He also urged the candidates to observe
Comelec rules and regulations governing the 2013 elections.
Zamboanga del Sur Parish Pastoral Council for
Responsible Voting chairman Father Felix Tigoy said “the signing of peace
covenant is a manifestation of the local candidates’ sincere cooperation with
the stakeholders to have a peaceful and successful exercise of electoral
process.”
“Manghinaut
ako nga ang mga kandidato sa LP pinanguluhan ni incumbent mayor Wilson Nandang
ug ang NPC, pinanguluhan ni incumbent Vice Mayor Ukol Talumpa magpahigayon sa
piniliay nga magmalinawon (I am hoping that the candidates of LP led by
re-electionist Mayor Wilson Nandang and NPC, led by incumbent Vice Mayor Ukol
Talumpa to hold the election peacefully),” Tigoy said.
Uma Fih Salam Executive Director Sultan
Abdulmaguid Maruhom was elated with the cooperation of the two political camps
in the supporting the peace covenant.
“We thank the candidates for unanimously supporting
the election covenant. Indeed, this is a
sign of their maturity as politicians in Labangan,” Maruhom said.
UCCP pastor Allan Patadlas said he was happy with
the signing of peace covenant saying, “it upholds the principle of democracy.”
Labangan was previously declared an “immediate
area of concern” by the poll body because of some violent election-related incidents
in the past. (PIA9)