12 April 2007
LEGAZPI CITY—A PEACE COVE-nant initiated by the Catholic Church was signed Tuesday by local politicians in Masbate, a province in Bicol known as a hotbed of violence during elections.
The peace covenant was supported by non-government organizations, people’s organizations, the police and the military.
Masbate Bishop Joel Bailon and other parish priests in Masbate met with Brig. Gen. Arsenio Arugay, commanding officer of the 9th Infantry Division and other military officials Tuesday afternoon, to discuss the peace and order situation in Masbate before seeing the politicians gathered at the Magallanes Coliseum in Masbate City for the signing of the peace covenant.
Fr. Leo Casas, Social Action Center director in Masbate, said about 20 politicians were around during the covenant-signing in the second district, which included long-time political rivals—the Espinosa and Kho clans who were seated next to each other.
About 500 people flocked to the coliseum to witness the peace pact signing, said Casas in a mobile phone interview.
“Our objective in this peace covenant is also to provide a forum on how we can stop election violence and ask for the candidates’ commitment ...,” he added.
Contending for the congressional seat in the second district are Maloli Espinosa, incumbent Gov. Antonio Kho, Ricky Celera, and Leo Manlapas.
Running for governor are Rep. Emilio Espinosa, Governor Kho’s wife Dr. Olga Kho, and Armand Sañano.
Maj. Ramon Rosario, commander of the 2nd Civil Relations Group of the military, said in a mobile phone interview that the peace covenant was meant to make the local politicians agree not to use violence to advance their political agenda. Ephraim Aguilar, Inquirer Southern Luzon
No comments:
Post a Comment