Balo-i, Pantar of Lanao del Norte holds election peace covenant signing among candidates

L-R: Comelec officer Sania Macarambon, Pantar Mayor Jabar Tago, Major Teodoro Nicor, Capt Jovane Roble & PSI Mohammad Doro 

Balo-i, Lanao del Norte – there are two municipalities under the area of responsibility of the 42^nd Mechanized Infantry company, Philippine Army, based in Nangka, Balo-i, Lanao del Norte, under the command of Captain Jovane C. Roble, Philippine Army (PA), company commander, were able to conduct the Peace covenant signing on May 3, 2018 in the municipalities of Pantar at 9:00 A.M. and Balo-i at 1:00 P.M., all of Lanao del Norte. The 42^nd Mechanized company is under the 4^th Mechanized Battalion based in camp pintoy, Suarez, Iligan City, headed by Lt.Col. Valdez, PA, and under the higher command of the 2^nd mechanized Infantry “Magbalantay” Brigade, PA, headed by Col. Robert C. Dauz, PA.

Peace covenant signing in Pantar, LDN

The peace covenant signing was attended by the candidates for the barangay and SK election elections. There are 21 barangays in Pantar with seven barangays considered hotspots due to numbers of candidates running for barangay chairman with nine barangays have unopposed candidates, the rest considered to be normal. The municipality of Balo-i have 21 barangays with seven barangays considered hotspots with several candidates filed for the Barangay chairman others have unopposed candidates for the same positions. Candidates for Barangay councilors and SK candidates are not so much complicated.

Historically observed in hotspots barangays with several candidates to run for barangay chairman will result to violence and killings during and after elections. Capt. Roble warned to all the candidates in both municipalities to avoid committing vote buying, employing flying voters, harassments, violence and other form of election laws violations will be directly arrested. Roble said that martial law still exists until December 2018. He also said that there will be one company of scout ranger on stand-by during the election day ready to respond on any emergencies.

Roble said peace covenant is a commitment to peace during elections. He explained to the people about those who live in far places, a long time registered voter in the barangay and will come home to vote during elections is not a flying voter.

3rd-5th left: Capt Roble, Maj. Nicor & Balo-i Mayor Ali

Major Teodoro M. Nicor, Battalion Executive Officer of the 4^th Mechanized battalion, headed by Lt. Col. Valdez, said that cooperation is the key to peace, He urged the candidates who attended the forum to follow election laws not to commit any violations and create violence during elections to maintain peace. Nicor said let the voter choose freely whom to vote.

Pantar Mayor Jabar D. Tago welcome the guests and participants of the event on peace covenant signing held at Barangay Campong multipurpose covered court, Pantar, Lanao del Norte he is urging the barangay candidates to cooperate to make the elections credible and peaceful. 

Police Senior Inspector Mohammad E. Doro, Municipal Chief of police of Pantar, reminded to Barangay election candidates and reiterated the conduct of peaceful elections free from any violence.

Pantar Comelec officer Sania M. Macarambon same with Noronisa M. Mapangcat, Acting election officer of Balo-i, led the oath taking of the candidates for the honest, orderly and peaceful elections not to commit and employ violence during the elections on May 14, 2018.

Balo-i candidates signed peace covenant

Balo-i Mayor Madid Elias L. Ali had served for 30 years (broken) as Mayor of Balo-i, said that during the period of his term there was no killings in the Municipality of Balo-i during Barangay elections only in Lanao del Sur. Ali said that  Balo-i had turnover 50 loose firearms, the highest among other municipalities, to the 2^nd Mechanized infantry brigade, last May 2, 2018. He urged whoever will be the newly elected Barangay chairman will also turnover their loose firearms available after elections because it is a continuing program of President Duterte to put an end of the proliferation of loose firearms to attain and sustain peace. (Reports and Photos by Jun Enriquez, with reports by Salve Gimena)