TACLOBAN CITY – Eastern Visayas’ top military official has appealed to candidates not to resort to violence just to win in the May 9 elections this year.
Major General Edgardo de Leon, the commanding officer of the 8th Infantry Division based in Catbalogan City, Samar, expressed hopes for a peaceful and orderly election in the region with the help of the Philippine National Police and the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
He said only members of the government forces are allowed to carry firearms while they are on duty.
“We will not allow any political candidate to organize an armed group. If they feel threatened, they can request for a security detail which is subject for evaluation…,” De Leon said on Monday.
“You can engage even in a shouting match so long as there will be no violence, no killing,” he added.
Previous elections in some parts of the region, particularly in Samar province, have been marred with killing and shooting incidents reportedly carried out by private or partisan armed groups and supported by local politicians.
De Leon also said that the arrival of troops over the weekend was meant to secure the forthcoming elections across the region and fight against members of the New People’s Army.
READ: More troops to be sent to Samar Island to go after rebels, secure May 9 polls
Soldiers from the 3rd Infantry battalion of the 7th Infantry Division arrived in Samar last Saturday.
De Leon also assured the public that the military will remain non-partisan and will only be loyal to the people and the nation.
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