The Philippine National Police (PNP) spearheaded the launching of a multi-sectoral campaign to ensure that the upcoming May 9 national and local elections will be peaceful and safe.
The "Kasimbayanan" campaign kicked off on Thursday, Feb. 3, at Camp Crame in Quezon City in support to the government's initiatives to hold a secure, accurate, free, and fair national and local elections (S.A.F.E NLE) 2022.
Kasimbayanan, which stands for “Kapulungan ng inyong Pulis, ng inyong Sundalo, ng inyong Bantay Dagat, ng ating COMELEC, at lahat ng Lingkod Bayan kasama ang Simbahan at Pamayanan,” is a campaign that is "instrumental in the collaborative pursuit of a reformed electoral process free from violence and corruption," according to Carlos.
“Today's momentous occasion is an opportune time to prepare our action-oriented efforts to ensure a violent-free and fraud-free election and also to affirm our pledge of commitment for a non-partisan, secure, and peaceful May 2022 elections," he said during the launching of the campaign.
"This endeavor is consistent with President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s pronouncements of ensuring a vibrant democracy where there is respect for the rule of law and the Constitution, where regular transfer of power is guaranteed through free and honest elections, and where the Filipino People trust a government that is clean, efficient, effective, God-fearing, and people-centered," he added.
The event showcased the lighting of the "SAFE" candles and pinning of the "SAFE 2022" pins by officials of the PNP, Philippine Coast Guard, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Commission on Elections (Comelec), National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), and religious and community leaders.
The attendees also signed the "Covenant of Peace," a manifesto which signifies and fosters community solidarity towards the goal of restoring the trust and credibility in the electoral process and help ensure an honest, orderly, and peaceful elections.
"There is really an urgent need to strengthen collaborative partnership with the Church and the community to maintain integrity and transparency in the conduct of police administration and operation as well as to show our unwavering commitment to the cause of human rights (HR) and the rule of law," Carlos said.
Aside from Carlos, among those present during the event were Comelec deputy executive director Teopisto Elnas Jr.; AFP chief General Andres Centino; and PCG commandant Admiral Leopoldo Laroya.
Also present were Bishop Noel Pantoja, national director of the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEC); Alim Naguib Taher, vice chair of the Imam Council of the Philippines; Most Rev. Oscar Jaime L. Florencio, D.D., Bishop, Military Ordinariate of the Philippines; and Cherry Dela Cruz, spokesperson of the National Coalition of Lingkod Bayan Advocacy Support Groups and Force Multipliers.
“Let us ensure that this platform for participatory governance will be adopted and cascaded down to the lowest field units and stations, so that all Filipinos, including our foreign counterparts and our partners who are also here with us will act together as one family to a commitment that we will perform professionally for this peaceful elections," Carlos said.
The ceremony culminated with the benediction of religious leaders and the releasing of white doves by Carlos and other key officials of the government, religious, and community sector as a symbol of " the country to inclusive change and prosperous and peaceful life for the Filipino people."