MANILA, Feb. 18 - A special task force organized by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to oversee the conduct of peaceful and credible elections in Masbate province was launched on Wednesday morning at the Masbate Coliseum, a Philippine Army official said.
Major Harold Cabunoc, 9th Infantry Division spokesman, said that Chief Supt. Perfecto Palad of the Directorate for Integrated Police Operations (DIPO) for Southern Luzon, graced the occasion which was also attended by senior military officials, local government executives and various sectoral leaders in the province.
During the same occasion, a multi-sectoral forum for an honest, orderly and peaceful elections (HOPE) was also conducted. The forum was facilitated by Fr. Leo Casas of the religious sector.
Five prominent Masbate political personalities attended the forum, including Congressman Rizalina Lanete, who is running for governor; Congressman Narciso Bravo Jr. and Congressman Antonio Kho who are seeking for reelection; Governor Elisa Kho and retired General Darius Tuason who are running for congressional posts in their respective districts.
Various topics were tackled, especially the issues concerning the growing number of election-related violence, implementation of the gun ban, and the presence of partisan armed groups allegedly maintained by some politicians.
All attending politicians, AFP and PNP senior officers and leaders of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other sectoral leaders vowed to support the conduct of peaceful elections in the province.
Prior to the activity, Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales visited the TF Masbate on February 12, together with Lt. Gen. Roland Detabali, commander of the Southern Luzon Command, Maj. Gen. Ruperto Pabustan, chief of the 9th ID, and some ranking regional officials in the Bikol Region. (PNA)