Samar governor and Calbayog City mayor sign pledge of commitment against political violence and non-support to private armed groups

By DPAO, 8ID PA
October 8, 2015

CAMP LUKBAN, Catbalogan City – The 8th Infantry (Stormtroppers) Division, Philippine Army, the Police Regional Office 8, Philippine National Police (PNP) launched the Regional Special Operation Task Group 8 and signing of the Pledge of Commitment against Political Violence and Non-Support to Private Armed Groups (PAGs) at Calbayog City Police Station, Calbayog City, Samar on October 8, 2015.

The provincial and local executives in the province of Samar signed a pledge of commitment for an Honest, Orderly and Peaceful Elections next year with the religious group, PNP, Philippine Army, election officials, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and media as witnesses.

Prior to the signing of the pledge of commitment, a peace dialogue was conducted last month at 8ID Headquarters that aimed at fostering harmony and non-support to political violence among the military, PNP, local officials in the area of Samar and Calbayog City in particular where the shooting incidents transpired, losing 22 lives this year.

The RSOTG 8 headed by PSSupt. Isiah Tonog was activated to respond to the security challenges in the province. Serving warrants of arrest to the perpetrators of the shooting incidents in Calbayog City will be their primary task.

The activation of RSOTG 8 and signing of pledge of commitment against political violence and non-support to PAGs was attended by Major General Jet B. Velarmino, Commander 8ID; PCSupt. Asher A. Dolina, Regional Director PRO8, PNP; Governor Sharee Ann Tan-Delos Santos of Samar along with her Party; Mayor Ronald Aquino of Calbayog City and his party; Most Rev. Isabelo C. Abarquez, DD, Archbishop of Diocese of Calbayog; field commanders in region 8; the different Municipal Mayors in the province of Samar; Dir. Pedro A. Noval, DILG Regional Director; Atty. Jose Nick A. Mendros, Regional Director, COMELEC 8, and the media.

A press conference was conducted after the ceremony to give assurance to the public that the activated task group will function in effect to further iron out security measures, internalize the pledge of commitment and non-support to Private Armed Group (PAGs).

Major General Velarmino said the activation of RSOTG 8 will pave way to address lawless activities in Samar.

In his message during the ceremony, MGen. Velarmino shared a quote from former first lady of the United States of America Eleonor Roosevelt: “It is not enough to talk about peace, one must believe in it and it is not enough to believe in it, one must work for it.”