Stakeholders from various sectors in Mimaropa region signed a pledge of commitment for peaceful and honest conduct, and zero election-related incidents for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Election (BSKE), scheduled for October 30.
The Nationwide Multi-Sectoral Peace Assembly held on Tuesday, October 17, brought together distinguished guests, officials from various government agencies, and community leaders that aim to promote peaceful and orderly elections in preparation for the forthcoming BSKE.
Palawan Police Provincial Office Director, PCol. Carlito Narag, recognized the role of the stakeholders, which he said is crucial in shaping the destiny of our local government, our barangays, and our community.
“Our multi-sectoral peace assembly for the BSKE 2023 gathering represents a vital cornerstone or bedrock to our commitment to fostering a peaceful, democratic, and inclusive society in our beloved 367 barangays in the entire province of Palawan,” Narag said.
Narag also assured the readiness of the entire police force for the BSKE.
“The entire PPPO force, together with the 23 municipal police stations and the provincial mobile force companies, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the Comelec, have one goal of attaining a peaceful performance of our duties,” he said.
Meanwhile, Aborlan election officer Ferdinand Bermejo also underscored the importance of the different sectors of society in maintaining peace.
“Approximately 220,000 PNP personnel are needed to maintain peace in our nation of more or less 100 million people. Billion, if not millions, of pesos are needed for us to maintain peace,” he said.
Meanwhile, Police Colonel Christopher D. Melchor, Marinduque Police Provincial Office Provincial Director, aimed to bring together every organization and group that has an important role to play in the upcoming elections.
“Ngayon po ay ating nasaksihan ang isang interfaith prayer at signing of pledges of commitment na nagpapakita ng hangarin ng bawat sektor na magkaroon ng isang mapayapa, tapat at malinis na eleksyon dito sa ating probinsya,” said Melchor.
Melchor also said that in the last BSKE on May 14, 2018 and in the past national and midterm elections, the province of Marinduque recorded zero election-related incidents, so their agency wished to achieve the same result in the upcoming election.
Furthermore, Atty. Angela Kristine Royandoyan, Provincial Election Supervisor of the Comelec-Marinduque, commended the role played by each sector, especially the PNP, in ensuring a peaceful and orderly election.
“Ang halalan ay ang buhay ng ating demokrasya. Kinakatawan nito ang ating mga pangako sa taumbayan na panatilihing patas, makatarungan at tapat ang darating na botohan. Dapat nating kilalanin na ito ay hindi lamang pagsisikap ng Comelec bagkus ay sama-samang pagtutulungan ng mga stakeholder sa halalan kasama ang Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Education, Philippine Coast Guard, Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting, religious group, media at iba pang organisasyon,” said Royandoyan.
This assembly was a powerful demonstration of unity, setting the stage for a fair, transparent, and peaceful BSKE 2023.
