Leyte town’s local candidates sign poll peace covenant

CARIGARA, Leyte, Feb. 23 (PNA) -- Local candidates here signed Monday for a peaceful conduct of elections this coming May.

Candidates who showed up to sign the treaty were from the two political families vying for the top position and local legislative spots. Incumbent Mayor Eduardo Ong led his slate in the signing, all of whom bannered their official green colors.

Meanwhile, candidate councilors from the opposing slate of mayoralty Anlie Apostol were also in attendance. However, Apostol herself was a ‘no-show’ during the whole event.

In his message, Fr. Ruel Cahido, parish priest of Holy Cross Parish, where the peace covenant signing was held, said that candidates should discipline their supporters as often, they are the cause if several troubles that mars the election process.

Army Major Arturo Dumalagan of the 19th Infantry Battalion, on the other hand, expressed their full support to the peaceful conduct of the elections.

Leyte police provincial office deputy for administration Supt. Marvin Marcos urged the local candidates to follow the rules and regulations set for the May 9 elections.

Municipal election officer Cesar Cabidog led the candidates in taking the integrity oath where they committed among others to follow the tenets of the Constitution, election laws, rules and regulation to ensure the peaceful conduct of the election.

Carigara town has been tagged as an “area of concern” for this year’s elections. The Commission on Election’s category for areas of concern is based on past and recent election-related violence, presence of private armed groups, intense political rivalry and insurgency problem.

Intense political rivalry has been noted among the running local candidates in the town. The incumbent mayor Ong is up against Leyte board member Anlie Apostol. Apostol formerly held the mayoralty post for three consecutive terms.

Ong’s brother Henry is running for the congressional seat in Leyte's second district against the elder Sergio Apostol. The latter’s family has been holding the position for more than 20 years now.

Mayor Ong meanwhile said that he is all for the peaceful and orderly conduct of the elections and that "no life should be sacrificed in the course of the election process" he added.

"Let us just work hard in our respective campaigns and let the people decide," Ong said.

The Philippine Army said that police counterparts in towns of Sta. Fe, Tolosa, Isabel, Pastrana, Alangalang, Leyte, Babatngon and Tacloban City have already scheduled to conduct peace covenant signing this week. (PNA)

FFC/SQM/AHLETTE C. REYES AND LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA/EGR