ISABELA CITY, Basilan, Apr 27 (PIA) – The candidates vying for local positions in the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-tawi together with other stakeholders gathered in Isabela City recently and forged their commitment to ensure peaceful National and Local Elections 2022.
In his message, Atty. Ray Sumalipao, Regional Election Director in Bangsamoro Autonomous region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), reminded both the stakeholders and all the candidates to ensure the integrity of elections as he emphasized on the respect to the persons' right of suffrage.
“We, stakeholders, the COMELEC, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police will commit ourselves to maintain honest election. We will just allow everyone to exercise their right of suffrage and to cast their votes freely, without intimidating and coercion,” Director Sumalipao said.
On the part of law enforcement agencies, PLTGen Jose Chiquito M. Malaya the Commander of APC-Western Mindanao, emphasized on behalf of Chief PNP PGen. Dionardo Carlos, the importance of everyone's cooperation to prevent election-related violence in the country, especially in Basilan.
“Napakahalaga po ang partisipasyon ng ating mga kababayan dito sa Basilan dahil ang lahat po ng ito ay para sa inyo. Ang tagumpay na inaasam-asam natin sa darating na Mayo ay magmumula sa magkakaisang kapayapaan na ating iaalay para sa bayan. Kapayapaan sa sama-samang pagsusumikap para sa ating mga kababayan tungo sa kaunlaran at gayundin sa kasaganaan dito sa probinsya ng Basilan,” the Chief PNP emphasized as quoted.
Meanwhile, COMELEC Chairman Atty. Saidamen B. Pangarungan said that the provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-tawi has historically been challenging for the COMELEC with regards to peace and security. However, he said in the last election BASULTA was generally an improvement with less reports of gun-related violence compared to the elections in the previous years.
“I called on our candidates to once again commit for a peaceful election. I urge you to work with the police and military as well as independent stakeholders in respecting the peoples votes and the sanctity of the ballots,” Chairman Pangarungan appealed.
Chairman Pangarungan also led the signing of Integrity Pledge of the stakeholders and candidates as proof of their commitment to freely and voluntarily support and ensure the success of the National and Local Elections 2022. (RVC/EDT/NDR/PIA9-Basilan)
