THE Philippine Army's 53rd Infantry "Matapat" Battalion (53IB) conducted a peace forum related to the holding of the May 9, 2022 national and local elections.

The forum, which was held on Tuesday, April 26, in Sominot, Zamboanga del Norte, was attended by candidates for mayor, vice-mayor of the town. Village officials were also present.

Lawyer Roberto Dela Peña, Zamboanga del Norte provincial elections supervisor, tackled the gun ban and illegal firearms, the convergence and collaboration between the 53rd Infantry Battalion (IB) and police and the cooperation of the candidates toward a peaceful and secured elections.

Lieutenant Colonel Jo-ar Herrera, 53IB commander, asked the participants to contribute to the peace efforts as peace is a shared responsibility.

"Peace is a shared responsibility. We will not tolerate the existence of armed individuals as we were tasked to destroy them to keep the people safe and ensure peaceful elections," Herrera said.

Police Major Jake Capitly, Sominot police chief, also asked the candidates to cooperate in keeping and maintaining the peace in conducting their political campaign.

"We encourage all candidates to refrain from utilizing violence as a means to advance their political agenda," Capitly said. (SunStar Zamboanga)