Peace pact signing for May polls next week

THE signing of the peace covenant in connection with the slated May 13, 2013 elections will start next week, according to Colonel Oscar Lactao.

Lactao, commander of the 303rd Brigade, said that the peace covenant will ensure that all candidates adhere to uphold non-violence in the conduct of the midterm elections.

Lactao met recently with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Philippine Army units of the 3rd District during the Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Council meeting held in Silay City.

He said that the signing of the peace covenant will be coordinated with the different local government units (LGUs), as well as the Social Action Center in the different localities in the province and the assigned or deployed PNP and Army units in the area.

The first signing of the peace covenant will be in San Carlos City on February 22, 2013, Friday.

In the Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Center meeting, Lactao said that the PNP and the military also assigned task forces to further beef up the efforts to ensure peace and order in the coming elections.

Lactao said he also met with members of the Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPA-ABB) in the area and cautioned the group not to bring their firearms outside of their areas, because of the Comelec-imposed election gun ban.

Lactao said that those who will be caught with their firearms without the Comelec exemption will be disarmed and will face charges.

There are still about 500 RPA ABB members in the province who are waiting for the finalization of the peace agreement.

Their firearms will be returned to the government once the closure agreement is finalized and effected, Lactao added.