Candidates vying for posts in Ubay during the midterm elections in May forged a peace covenant, vowing to do their part in maintaining peaceful and orderly polls.
Mayoralty bets Mayor William Jao, former mayor Marlon Amila and Bobby Lopez led the candidates in signing the peace pact at the San Isidro Labrador Parish Church after a unity walk held around Centro, Tubigon on Monday morning.
Sr. Insp. Robert Lucernas, Tubigon police chief, expressed hope that candidates will stand by their vows to uphold peace and order during the polls.
“So far, wala pa may mga election-related incident nga problema, so ang atong gihimo sa ang peace covenant nga mo-follow sila unsay mga gilagda sa balaud, specially kadtong mga report sa intimidation, violence ug vote buying,” said Lucernas.
The camps of Jao and Amila went in full force during the activity, added Lucernas.
In the previous general election in 2016, a supporter of Jao was killed in a gun attack 12 hours after the peace covenant.
The fatality, identified as Amado Nitollama, Jr., was shot dead while asleep inside his home in Barangay Macaas, Tubigon.
Jao who was then running against Amila alleged that the murder was politically motivated.
Following the recent signing of a peace covenant, Lucernas assured the public that the police will remain impartial in carrying out its duties during the polls.
“Sa atoa sa PNP, mandate man jud nato na nga di mag apil-apil sa politika, sa akoang part as hepe diri, ako gi remind kanunay akong mga tao nga dili mi mag apil-apil ug unsay mga koan sa politika, ang amoa ug unsay role as PNP mao ra nay among tamdan,” Lucernas said.
Officials of the Commission on Elections, Department of Interior and Local Government, and the Tubigon-based 47th Infantry Battallion of the Philippine Army led by Lt. Col. Eufracio Malig also joined the activity. (A. Doydora)