PEACE PACT. Signing of peace covenant of village polls candidates in Calbayog City on Friday (May 4, 2018). (Photo by DILG Calbayog)
CALBAYOG CITY, Samar -- Village and youth council candidates in this city gave their commitments for peaceful and orderly May 14 elections through the signing of peace covenant on Friday.
Supt. Jose Junar Alamo, the city’s chief of police, said hundreds of candidates from 157 villages came to sign the peace covenant at the St. Peter and Paul Cathedral.
“We want to let everyone know that we are serious in implementing laws meant for peaceful elections and end poll-related violence,” Alamo said. “To the candidates, be a good example to the young generation.”
Alamo said they have tied up with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to initiate the peace covenant.
Reports shows that a total of 173 shooting incidents were reported since 2016 in Calbayog City, and nearby towns of Gandara, Sta. Margarita, Matuguinao and San Jorge, all in first legislative district of Samar.
Mayor Ronald Aquino has asked policemen to help victims of election-related killings attain justice. “We urge people to be vigilant and report to authorities the presence of armed men in their community.”
Celedonio Barbarona, a candidate for village chief of Rizal Uno hopes that all candidates will stay calm despite political rivalries. “I hope each one of us will be to our covenant to avoid violence this upcoming elections.”
The PNP has placed five areas in this city under watch list. These are the villages of Victoria, San Jose, Carayman, Ginbauyan Norte, and Katabunan.
Based on Comelec Resolution No. 10077, a village is labeled as an area of concern if it has a history of violent political rivalries.
A community is tagged as an area of immediate concern if there are serious threats posed by the New People’s Army, private armed groups, and terrorists. (PNA)
