A Philippine human flag was formed as Ilocanos recited the Prayer for Peace in the Philippines. (Photo courtesty of the Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Office)
LAOAG CITY -- A human Philippine flag was formed on Thursday during an interfaith prayer, which the Ilocos Norte police initiated for a peaceful conduct of safe and fair elections in May.
Held at the Camp Capt. Valentin S. Juan in this city, the participants to the interfaith prayer were asked to wear any of the four colors of the Philippine flag.
It was attended by personnel of the provincial headquarters and police stations across the province, along with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and public and private stakeholders. Rev. Father Franklin Gorospe of the Diocese of Laoag led the Prayer for Peace in the Philippines.
In an interview after the brief program, Chief Insp. Relly Layug, Provincial Public Information Officer of the Ilocos Norte police, said, “In everything that we do, it all starts from God. Hence, we are dedicating this activity to God, whom we shall entrust a peaceful and orderly elections.”
Layug said the activity coincides with the nationwide interfaith prayers for peace and reconciliation to encourage all Filipinos, regardless of religion, to pray as one nation.
Last Wednesday, the Senate adopted Resolution No. 1002 filed by Senate President Vicente Sotto III, declaring every first Thursday of February starting this year and every year thereafter, as the “Synchronized National Interfaith Prayers for Peace and Reconciliation”.
Aside from the interfaith prayer, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and Philippine National Police (PNP) led a walk for unity and covenant signing at the Aurora Park in this city last January 13.
All the participating multi-sectoral groups -- the church, academe, Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting, government and non-government organizations, and political candidates -- vowed to uphold the integrity of the election process and to respect all laws, rules and regulations. (PNA)
