SILG Roxas to grace signing of elections peace covenant in Samar

By Erlinda Olivia P. Tiu

Friday 11th of January 2013

CAMP RUPERTO KANGLEON, Palo, Leyte, Jan 11 (PIA) -- At the very start of the election period, a signing of a peace covenant has been scheduled in the considered election “priority area” in Eastern Visayas.

Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas will witness the signing of the peace covenant among the police, church leaders, and local candidates in Samar.

Police Chief Superintendent Elmer Ragadio Soria, regional director of the Philippine National Police in Eastern Visayas expressed his gratitude to Roxas in attending said activity which is aimed at ensuring a peaceful conduct of elections in the said province.

“The presence of the good Secretary is an indication that the government is serious in its thrust of ensuring safe and fair elections especially in “priority areas,” Soria said.

The PRO8-initiated signing of peace covenant which is being conducted with support from Diocese of Calbayog and other stakeholders like the DILG, Commission on Elections, and counterparts in the Armed Forces of the Philippines, will be conducted on January 13 at the Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral in Calbayog City.

“This is in line with the SAFE 2013 program of the PNP to ensure a ‘Secured and Fair Elections’ not only in Samar but in the entire Eastern Visayas Region,” Soria said.

“This activity is an ideal way to encourage the candidates to commit themselves to support peaceful and orderly elections. The beauty of democracy shines brightly with upright leaders, enlightened citizenry and vigilant community,” Soria added.

Bishop Isabelo Abarquez will officiate a pontifical mass followed by the signing proper of the manifesto and blessing of peace covenant, Police Inspector Romuel Nacar, PRO-8 Media Relations Officer said.

Aside from Secretary Roxas, Comelec Regional Director Jose Nick Mendros, Major General Gerardo T. Layug of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division, and other stakeholders will also attend the occasion.

Local candidates running for elective posts in the province and in the cities of Catbalogan and Calbayog have also confirmed their attendance in the activity, Nacar added.

Samar, which has a voting population of 481,275 in its two cities and 24 municipalities, was included in the DILG list of “priority areas” owing to its history of poll-related violent incidents and presence of private armed groups and New People’s Army in the area during the previous elections.

In order to ensure a peaceful conduct of the May 10, 2013 elections, Soria activated the Regional Special Operations Task Group (RSOTG) to go after the remaining two private army groups (PAGs) operating in the province and to intensify the campaign against loose firearms. (PIA 8)