8ID witnessed Samar candidates sign peace covenant

By DPAO, 8ID PA
April 11, 2016

CAMP VICENTE LUKBAN, Catbalogan City – The 8th Infantry (Stormtroopers) Division Philippine Army through the Provincial Joint Security Control Center (PJSCC) hosted a Peace Covenant Signing to all local candidates running for May 2016 election in Samar province dubbed as “Secured and Fair Elections: Tamang Pagboto,Tamang Pagbilang” held at St. Bartholomew Church on Sunday, April 10.

The peace initiative was attended by Major General Jet B Velarmino, Commander, 8ID; Col Perfecto M Rimando, 801st Brigade Commander; PSSupt Rommel Cabagnot, Samar PNP Provincial Director; Most Rev. Isabelo Abarquez, Bishop of Calbayog; Atty Juan Bautista Beato Jr., COMELEC-Samar; Judy Batulan of DILG-Samar, Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), Media practitioners, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and all of the local candidates in Samar province to foster commitment to have a SAFE 2016.

Col Perfecto M Rimando said, “Being your Army in Samar province, we will do our mandated task for this political exercise to ensure an orderly and peaceful election and we will abide all the regulations set forth by COMELEC as deputized law enforcement agency”.

Meanwhile, Bishop Isabelo Abarquez, categorically urge the military and police to be the guardian of peace, adheres allegiance to flag and people and defend the life of citizenry, quote in his liturgy that “credible election will create a credible government”.

Major General Jet B Velarmino, in his remarks, said that 8ID remains apolitical and committed to ensure the safety of political candidate, to freely exercise their political rights and protection of the civilian to cast their vote without intimidation for a Secured and Fair Elections (SAFE) 2016.