PLEDGE OF COMMITMENT. Commission on Elections (Comelec)-Central Visayas Regional Director Lionel Marco Castillano signs the Pledge of Commitment during the Nationwide Multi-Sectoral Assembly on Monday (Oct. 16, 2023) at the headquarters of the Police Regional Office-7 in Camp Sergio Osmeña Sr. Castillano underscored the crucial role of the community as peace warriors that will guard the sanctity of votes during the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections on Oct. 30. (Contributed photo)
CEBU CITY – The Commission on Election (Comelec)-Central Visayas on Monday said “community peace warriors” are needed to safeguard the sacred votes in the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.
Lawyer Lionel Marco Castillano, Comelec-7 regional director, said every member of the community has a role to play in upholding the dignity and fairness of the elections.
Castillano and Police Regional Office-7 chief, Brig. Gen. Anthony Aberin, led other officials from different government agencies and civil society organizations in signing the “pledge of commitment” at the parade ground of Camp Sergio Osmeña Sr. here.
The ceremony coincided with the Nationwide Multi-Sectoral Assembly, an activity that recognizes the crucial role of the stakeholders in shaping the destiny of local government, the barangays, and the community.
“This national multi-sectoral assembly is a nationwide activity. This is a program of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to ensure a peaceful political process come Oct. 30,” Castillano told the Philippine News Agency (PNA).
In leading the signing of the pledge of commitment, Castillano underscored the strengthening of the multipartite collaborations to ensure peace as well as the preservation of democracy during the electoral process.
Castillano and Aberin also graced the ceremonial release of white doves symbolizing “divine intervention” they sought for a clean and peaceful election across the region, which was simultaneously done along with other regional police headquarters nationwide.
“As you can see, all government agencies, NGOs and force multipliers gather and pledge to do their part towards our collective goal of a safe and secured Barangay and SK Elections 2023," Castillano said.
Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Gerard Ace Palare, Regional Joint Security Control Center (RJSCC-7) spokesperson, said the regional police is now on alert as the Comelec will start receiving election paraphernalia on Tuesday. (PNA)
The Philippine News Agency is a web-based newswire service of the Philippine government under the supervision of the News and Information Bureau (NIB) of the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).