Arayat a peaceful town, says top cop

ARAYAT -- Senior Superintendent R'Win Pagkalinawan, Pampanga police officer-in-charge, said Monday that this first-class municipality is "one of the province's most peaceful towns."

This announcement earned praises from three-term Mayor Luis Espino during Monday’s signing of a Peace Covenant between candidates (mayors, vice mayors and councilors) in the upcoming May 13, 2013 elections.

In his speech during the peace covenant signing, Pagkalinawan said he will recommend to Governor Lilia Pineda that Arayat be given an award as one of the most peaceful towns in the province.

He said that based on their investigation, the "killing" incidents here are not politically-motivated but are personal or business-related.

He also urged candidates to be more politically mature and let the rule of law prevail instead of resorting to violence.

“I am grateful for the trust and support given by the police to ensure peace and order in this town. I assure that we will continue to bring good service to the people, especially to our constituents” said Espino in vernacular.

He said that aside from the police, Governor Pineda has been a big factor in assisting the town in its peace and order campaign, citing the turnover of barangay patrol tricycles and equipment to bantay bayans and the local police.

Meanwhile, Vice Mayor Larry Trinidad, who is eyeing the mayoralty seat of this town under the Kambilan Party, said he is urging his fellow candidates to respect the will of the people.

"As the saying goes, the voice of the people is the voice of God. Kaya hinihikayat ko ang aking mga kapwa politiko na ating igalang ang karapatang bumoto ng ating mga kababayan. Sana wala ng takutan, bilihan or paglilinlang at maging maayos, malinis at matahimik ang darating an election sa aming bayan," Trinidad said.

Recently, Arayat, along with the towns of Mexico, San Simon, Candaba, Sasmuan, Guagua, Magalang, Lubao and Mabalacat City, was tagged by the Local Government department of Philippine National Police as election watchlist areas. (Chris Navarro)