ZAMBOANGA CITY – Candidates from the provinces of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi signed a peace covenant for safe and honest elections at Basilan State College, Isabela City, Basilan on Saturday, April 23.
Commission on Election Chairman Saidamen Pagarungan and Commissioner Erwin George Garcia arrived in Basilan to witness the signing of the covenant in the presence of military and police officials.
Atty. Ray Sumalipao, Comelec Regional Director for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao was also present in the signing.
“Today, we also showed solidarity toward the attainment of our coveted peace here in Mindanao,” said Lt. Gen. Alfredo Rosario Jr., Western Mindanao Command Commander.
He also assured candidates that the Armed Forces will work towards the safety and security of everyone during the election period, most especially on Election Day, May 9.
Other high-ranking military officials who attended the event were Maj. Gen. Ignatius Patrimonio, Commander of Joint Task Force Sulu; Brig. Gen. Romeo Racadio, Commander of Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi; Brig. Gen. Domingo Gobway, Commander of Joint Task Force Basilan; Police Lt. Gen. Jose Chiquito Malayo, Commander of the Area Police Command-Western Mindanao who represented PNP Chief General Dionardo Carlos.
Police Maj. Gen. Valerio De Leon, Director for Operations, Police Maj. Gen. Franco Simborio, Regional Director of PNP Regional Office 9; and other COMELEC, military, and police officials also graced the occasion.