FOR PEACEFUL ELECTIONS: Brig. Gen. Arthur Cabalona, BARMM police director, is flanked by reelectionist Maguindanao Gov. Bai Mariam Sangki Mangudadatu, her running mate Bai Ainee Sinsuat, Rep. Esmael Mangudadatu, and his vice gubernatorial bet Bai Sandra Sema. (Photo courtesy of BARMM Police Regional Office)
CAMP SK PENDATUN, Maguindanao, Philippines — Brig. Gen. Arthur Cabalon, the police chief of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), is confident the elections in Maguindanao province will be peaceful because major political rivals have recently entered into a peace covenant.
The act of coming together to ink the pact last Thursday bodes well for peaceful polls in the province, Cabalon, who had just assumed his post, said shortly after the signing, which he attended.
He said that he was glad that candidates in Maguindanao showed up here to participate in the launching of “Kasimbayanan” — which stands for Kawani, Simbahan at Pamayanan — and signed the Peace Covenant for Secure, Accurate, Free and Fair Elections (SAFE) on May 9.
Also present at the signing of the pace were Deputy Regional Director Renault Macarambon of the Commission on Elections and various representatives from the religious sector, Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting, National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, and community leaders.
Some candidates from Lanao del Sur also witnessed the event.
According to Cabalona, the primary objective of the activity is to ensure all stakeholders participate and work in the conduct of peaceful elections.
Reelectionist Gov. Bai Mariam Sangki Mangudadatu and Rep. Esmael Mangudadatu led their parties in signing the peace covenant and pledge of integrity.
Bai Mariam is Esmael’s cousin-in-law. Both are also traditional political rivals.
“This is heartwarming seeing warring political aspirants coming together with one goal — peaceful election in Maguindanao,” Cabalona told reporters. “All the signatories vowed to abide by the laws and constitution, respect the sanctity of elections, and reject, without any reservations, the use of violence, force, or threats to influence the outcome of elections.”
RELATED STORIES
MILF ceasefire team probes Maguindanao ambush that killed 9
5 members of lawless armed group killed in Maguindanao, AFP reports
Still no closure for Maguindanao massacre victims