POLITICIANS running for different elective positions in Sulu province have signed a peace covenant and pledged to support the government’s campaign for peace, orderly, and honest elections.
The signing of the so-called “Covenant for Hope Sulu 2010” on Sunday, initiated by civil society, religious and various organizations, including the police and military, was witnessed by at least 300 people.
Brigadier General Rustico Guerrero, chief of Sulu-based Joint Task Force Comet, said the signing of the covenant is a step forward to ensure peaceful elections in the province.
“We are working side by side with all sectors because we are also for peaceful and orderly elections. We will also remain neutral and non-partisan,” Guerrero said.
Those who led the signing were Sulu Governor Sakur Tan, who is seeking re-election, and former governor Benjamin Loong, who is running for vice governor, and their party members.
Both Tan and Loong said they are supporting government calls for honest and clean elections.
Tan said he had been advocating for clean, honest and orderly elections.
“We are peaceful in Sulu,” Tan said.
Loong pledged to abide by the covenant for peaceful elections in the province.
Commission on Election’s Vidzfar Juli said poll workers will remain apolitical.
“We will remain neutral and apolitical in the coming elections and I hope the politicians will also make true their promises for honest and peaceful elections,” Juli said.
Those who attended the signing of the covenant were Catholic priests Jose Ante and Romeo Villanueva; Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) chief Lieutenant General Benjamin Dolorfino, Doctor Hannbal Bara of the Sulu People’s Congress, Sulu provincial police commander Senior Superintendent Joseph Ramac, Doctor Sahie Udjah of the Ulangig Mindanao Inc., Farida Hadjulani of the Sulu Tanjuh Organization and Father Emmanuel Sison of the Notre Dame College of Jolo. (Bong Garcia)