CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City - To reaffirm the military’s commitment to a secure and peaceful national and local elections, the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) joined other participants in the Peace Covenant signing held at the 8th Infantry Division headquarters in Camp General Vicente Lukban, Catbalogan, Samar on March 29.
“I commit to our people that as Chief of Staff of the AFP, we will ensure credible and safe elections as directed by President Rodrigo Duterte. We will be there to assure that you will be safe and secure on election day,” AFP Chief of Staff, General Andres Centino said.
General Centino was among the signatories to the Integrity Pledge along with other agency heads, electoral candidates, and stakeholders from the Province of Samar. Also present during the signing ceremony were National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, PNP Chief Police General Dionardo Carlos, Comelec Commissioner George Garcia, Commander of Visayas Command Lieutenant General Robert Dauz, and 8ID Commander Major General Edgardo De Leon.
The activity was held in partnership with the Commission on Elections; Philippine National Police; and Samar LGU, electoral candidates, and stakeholders. The covenant is in line with the government’s campaign toward safe, accurate, free, and fair National and Local Elections this coming May 9, 2022.
“This Integrity Pledge means that our candidates commit themselves to reject the use of force, violence, and other forms of threats to influence the result of the elections,” said Secretary Esperon.
The AFP together with the PNP and Philippine Coast Guard are partner agencies deputized by the COMELEC in providing security efforts for the coming elections.
“We ask the voting public, the candidates, and our stakeholders and partners to be with us in making sure that we will have a peaceful election come May 9, 2022,” said General Carlos.
For the AFP’s part, General Centino assured the people of Samar that sufficient AFP forces will be deployed to secure election areas.
“Be assured that the AFP will ensure that no intimidation will transpire and voters will be free to cast their votes during election day,” he said./// (Photo by TSg Randulf Obinque PAF/PAOAFP)
