THE police chief of Lapu-Lapu City will recommend lowering the level of Election Watchlist Areas (Ewas) of the city from “orange” to “yellow.”
This came after the candidates in the May 13 midterm elections signed a peace covenant on Friday morning, Feb. 22.
Senior Supt. Limuel Obon said he sensed the sincerity of the candidates to adhere to their promise that they will not resort to violence against political opponents.
A yellow alert status is the lowest alert level and it is given to a place where there is an “intense political rivalry,” while the orange code means there is presence of armed group.
The peace covenant signing was spearheaded by the Commission on Elections, Lapu-Lapu City Police Office (LLCPO), Department of the Interior and Local Government, Philippine Air Force and Philippine Army.
Before the candidates signed the covenant, they heard a mass held in the grounds of LLCPO.
Fr. Jimmy Duero, in his homily, reminded candidates that a leader is the person who guides his people towards the path of righteousness and gives them authentic service not for personal gains.
Mayor Paz Radaza said diehard supporters of candidates often started conflicts in the past. She is running for the city’s lone congressional seat under Lakas CMD-Team Deretso.
She urged all political supporters, including hers, not to create chaos.
For his part, Pajo Barangay Captain Junar Chan said each candidate dreams of a peaceful, honest and orderly elections.
“We will abide by what we signed for,” said Chan, standard bearer of PDP-Laban–Team Libre for the city’s mayorship.
He said some of his supporters were harassed and threatened by another group after a consultative meeting in a village.
Obon advised candidates to report cases of harassment and supporters bearing guns. (from FVQ of Superbalita Cebu, KAL)