CEBU CITY – Law enforcers and other stakeholders in Central Visayas on Monday, October 16, took part in the nationwide multi-sectoral peace assembly for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections in Camp Sergio Sr. here.
COMMISSION on Elections-Central Visayas Director Lionel Marco Castillano leads the signing of the pledge of commitment for a peaceful barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections at the Police Regional Office-Central Visayas (PRO-7) in Cebu City. (PRO-7)
The Police Regional Office-Central Visayas, Philippine Coast Guard, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Commission on Elections (Comelec), National Police Commission, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Education, Bureau of Fire Protection, and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology attended the activity highlighted by the signing of the pledge of commitment to ensure a peaceful and fair elections on October 30.
Members of interfaith groups also attended the activity.
Comelec-Central Visayas Director Lionel Marco Castillano commended security forces tasked to ensure the orderly conduct of the elections.
Castillano said those who are tasked to safeguard the elections are “peace warriors.”
“It’s ironic that I mentioned peace warriors. Why do we need to become warriors to have peace. It’s a sad reality that our elections have a long way to go in order that it will be peaceful,” Castillano said in a speech.
“The seeds of that day where we will have a peaceful election must be sowed now and it is your duty and your work in this election that will pave the way for maybe someday in our lifetime, we will have a peaceful election,” Castillano added.
Castillano said he is hoping that the day will come that an election day will be treated as just “another day” in the country.
“No more arduous preparations undertaken by our men in uniform. But for now, your Comelec, your nation needs your help,” Castillano said.
Law enforcers have a big role to play during the elections as it is the time that the dignity of the Filipinos will be upheld, Castillano added.
Castillano said every vote is sacred and that is why it must be safeguarded.
“It is always during elections where we could uphold the dignity of every Filipino by guarding that one special and sacred vote of each and every Filipino. As I always say, that sacred vote makes us all equal because it is only during that time that every Filipino is equal. One man, one vote,” said Castillano.