Covenant signing could usher SAFE in Samar – Soria

By RPCRD, Police Regional Office 8
January 14, 2013

CAMP RUPERTO K. KANGLEON, Palo, Leyte – The signing of a peace covenant by local candidates in Samar is a step in the right direction and could usher a “secured and fair” conduct of the midterm polls in the province, said the region’s top police official.

“The positive support we got from the candidates themselves and the good number of people who attended the peace covenant signing only showed that Samareños are supportive to our effort in ensuring the conduct of a peaceful and orderly elections,” said Police Chief Superintendent Elmer Ragadio Soria, Eastern Visayas police regional director.

The Police Regional Office 8 (PRO8) initiated the conduct of peace covenant signing held Sunday morning at the Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral in Calbayog City that garnered support from the Diocese of Calbayog and other stakeholders like the Department of Interior and Local Government, Commission on Elections, Armed Forces of the Philippines, civil society groups and signed by local candidates vying for congressional and different local elective positions.

Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Mar Roxas presided in the activity with Soria and other leaders from the church, military, Comelec and other stakeholders as witnesses.

“Kinikilala po ng pamahalaan ni PNoy na ang halalan ay sentro ng ating demokrasya, vox populi vox dei, na ang voice of the people is the voice of God, sana po ay maging maayos at mapayapa ang halalang ito…. Hindi po gagamit ng puwersa ang gobyerno upang baliin ang kagustuhan ng ating mga mamamayan,” Roxas said in his message.

Diocese of Calbayog Bishop Isabelo Abarquez officiated a pontifical mass followed by the signing proper of the manifesto, blessing of peace covenant and release of white balloons and doves as a symbol of peace led by the Bishop.

Samar was included in the DILG list of “priority areas” due to election-related violent incidents in past electoral exercises, presence of private armed groups and New People’s Army in the area.

Even with the covenant signing, Soria assured that PRO8, through the Regional Special Operations Task Group (RSOTG) will continue to conduct aggressive police operations against the remaining PAGs operating in the province and intensify the campaign against loose firearms.

“To ensure a ‘Secured And Fair Elections (SAFE)' in the entire region, we will implement sustained law enforcement, security and public safety operations before, during and after the elections,” Soria informed.