LEGAZPI CITY -- At least 3,000 city folks participated in a unity walk here aimed at calling for honest and peaceful elections at the start of the polling period on Sunday.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec)-Bicol said the marchers assembled at the Peñaranda Park in Old Albay District at around 6 a.m. and walked a two-kilometer stretch to the Philippine National Police (PNP) headquarters in Camp Simeon Ola here.
Juana Valeza, Comelec regional director, said the event was also highlighted by a covenant signing for honest, orderly and peaceful election by candidates seeking various elective posts.
She said similar unity walk and covenant signing activities were held in Naga City in Camarines Sur, Daet, Camarines Norte, Masbate City, Sorsogon City, and Virac, Catanduanes.
Valeza urged police and military authorities and other deputized agencies to be neutral and apolitical in the conduct of their mandated functions in keeping the upcoming election as clean and orderly as possible.
At the covenant signing in Camp Simeon Ola, it was observed, however, that despite the invitation sent to candidates, only a few were present.
Meanwhile, to keep the election period peaceful, Comelec checkpoints have been set up across the region, even as the gun ban started shortly after midnight Saturday.
Aside from the Comelec, other national and local agencies involved in the conduct of the mid-term national and local election set in May this year, include the Department of the Interior and Local Government, PNP and Armed Forces of the Philippines. (PNA)
