POLL STAKEHOLDERS. Security officials and candidates for Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) sign the “Wall of Commitment” on Wednesday (Oct. 4, 2023) in Carmen, North Cotabato, in support of the peaceful conduct of the political exercise on Oct. 30, 2023. The Army’s 6th Infantry Division says more peaceful dialogues will be conducted in its area of responsibility in Central Mindanao. (Photo courtesy of 6ID)
CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao del Norte – Military authorities here have initiated a series of peace dialogues in connection with the Oct. 30 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) in Central Mindanao.
"I call on the aspiring candidates in each barangay to respect the election results and allow the process to transpire smoothly and peacefully," Brig. Gen. Nasser P. Lidasan, Army’s 6th Infantry Division (ID) assistant commander, said in a statement on Thursday, referring to the upcoming elections.
On Wednesday, Lidasan led the first dialogue at the headquarters of the 602nd Infantry Brigade (Bde) in Carmen, North Cotabato, followed by similar activity at the base of the 601st Bde in Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur.
After each peace dialogue, stakeholders including the law enforcers, poll officials, and candidates signed the peace covenant signifying their firm commitment to ensuring a peaceful election.
The participants affixed their signatures on a “Wall of Commitment”, denouncing violence, human rights violations, and injustice while expressing their vow to promote a safe and secure BSKE.
Lidasan said the stakeholders also pledged support for peace and development in Central Mindanao where the Army units under 6ID operate.
Lidasan said the peace dialogues addressed various security measures that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will implement in collaboration with other security agencies.
"AFP personnel will be deployed in all polling centers to provide security and assistance to the election committee and the electorate. We are also in full support of the gun ban as we promote peaceful and non-violent conduct of the elections," he said. (PNA)
