TABUK CITY, Kalinga – Fourteen days before the barangay and sangguniang kabataan elections (BSKE) this year, representatives from the different government agencies, members of the media, religious, and other sectoral group joined the Kalinga Provincial Police Office and Kalinga office of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC-Kalinga) for the nationwide Multi-Sectoral Peace Assembly at the Kalinga Provincial Police Office, Camp Juan M. Duyan today, October 16.
Participants signed the Pledge of Commitment reaffirming to strengthen multipartite collaboration to ensure peace and preserve democracy during the BSKE 2023. They also expressed their support for the Philippine National Police for a secure, accurate, free, and fair barangay and sangguniang kabataan elections. Bishop Prudencio Andaya, Imam Mustapha A. Camad, and Pastor Gerald Tollino led the interfaith prayer.
Atty. Dexter Barry A. Cawis, Provincial Election Supervisor of COMELEC-Kalinga, urged the candidates to adhere to election laws including rules against premature campaigning and provisions on “Kontra Bigay” adding that safeguarding the integrity of the BSKE needs the cooperation and unity of all stakeholders.
“Let us make sure that the implementing bodies, the candidates, down to the voters will bow to the rule of law. That despite political differences, we must uphold to maintain the highest level of respect towards each other,” he said.
Present during the event were OIC Provincial Director PCOL. Freddie M. Lazona of the Provincial Police Office, Atty. John Paul Baguiwan representing Gov. James S. Edduba, Tyrsa Donguiis representing Provincial Director Anthony M. Ballug of the Department of Interior and Local Government, Schools Division Supervisor of the Kalinga office of the Department of Education Natividad P. Bayubay, LtCol. Richard Dela Cruz representing Gen Santiago E. Enginco, commander of 503rd IB, PA; LTCOL Joel B. Lucas commanding officer 103rd IB of the Philippine Army , and Mata ng Masa MMTF-CAR Director John Leyaley. By Tabuk PIO
