Lanao del Sur candidates vow for a peaceful election

By MASIDING NOOR YAHYA
April 30, 2019

MARAWI CITY: Local candidates in Lanao del Sur have vowed for a free, honest, credible, orderly and peaceful election during the 2019 Midterm Elections.

In a peace covenant held at the Grandstand of Kampo Ranao in Marawi City recently, representatives from the Commission on Elections, Ministry of Local Government, Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, other stakeholders and the 2019 Midterm Elections aspirants, signed a pact for a free, honest, credible, orderly and peaceful election.

Together with representatives from the Commission on Elections, Ministry of Local Government, Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and other stakeholders, 128 candidates vying for provincial, city and municipal positions participated in the Peace Covenant organized by the AFP’s 103rd Infantry Brigade in Lanao del Sur .

Provincial COMELEC Officer Attorney Allan Kadon acknowledged this gesture and hoped for a repeat of the highly peaceful Special Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections in the 96 Barangays of Marawi City (BSKE) last year.

Dubbed as the “most peaceful election yet,” the Marawi Special BSKE concluded with no fatalities.

103rd Brigade commander Colonel Romeo Brawner Jr. said, “The AFP is geared for a free, honest, credible, orderly and peaceful 2019 National Elections.

He said he had committed his term to achieving a successful National Election when he assumed the helm of the 103rd Infantry Brigade.

While security forces have expressed optimism in the outcome of the elections, the military warns spoilers undermining the security of the election.

“We will take into restrictive custody any individual who will be caught buying votes or engaging in violence. This is to ensure integrity and security in our polling areas,” Col Brawner added.

Last year, security forces took into restrictive custody several personalities caught in the act of vote buying and engaging in fistfights at polling areas. All were released as soon as the elections came to a close.

“With the support expressed by the candidates, the civil society organizations and the voting populace, we are confident that the result of the elections will embody the aspirations of our Meranao brothers and sisters towards a peaceful and prosperous Lanao del Sur,” Col Brawner ended.

Also present in the activity were Police Colonel Muksan Mukaram, Provincial Director of the Lanao del Sur Police Provincial Office and Provincial MLG Director McMillan Lucman. (MNY/RSP)