BASILAN – In its aim to achieve a peaceful and harmonious election in the Bangsamoro region, the Ministry of Public Order and Safety (MPOS) held a peace advocacy against election-related violence caravan in Basilan from April 18-21.
The caravan was held in partnership with the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG), Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine Information Agency (PIA), and Commission on Elections (COMELEC).
Participants included barangay officials and representatives from different sectors who were oriented on the election guidelines of the COMELEC, and their moral responsibilities as local leaders. They were also enlightened on the Islamic perspective in choosing credible leaders.
Among the areas of concern identified by the PNP were the municipalities of Hadji Muhammad Ajul, Al-Barka, and Sumisip.
“Ang gusto lang naman po natin ay ang mapayapang election, kaya ang MPOS po ay may ganitong programa. Ginawa po namin ang programa na ito para ma-educate at ma-remind ang mga tao sa rules nila at mga dapat at hindi nila dapat gawin sa darating na election, ” said Shahid P. Akbara, MPOS community officer for Basilan.
Meanwhile, LTC. Cyrill Santander INF (GSC), commander officer 18 Infantry Battalion, called for unity among the communities.
“Ang gandang tignan ng isang community na may pagkakaisa, sana sa darating na election mag kaisa tayo para maging maayos ang election natin,” Santander said.
“Ang mga kasundalohan natin ay anjan para mapanatili ang ating kaayosan, pero alam ko dito sa Al-Barka magiging maayos tayo kasi honest tayo,” he added. (Arnalyn Dulla/BIO)
