By Sarwell Meniano/PNA
TACLOBAN CITY — The top army official in Eastern Visayas is asking local candidates in Samar province to refrain from resorting to violence and vote buying to win in the May 2019 midterm elections.
Major Gen. Raul Farnacio , the Army’s 8th Infantry Division commander, said Samar areas has always been in the limelight during election period due to poll-related violence allegedly committed by private-armed groups hired by candidates.
“Candidates should never use guns, goons, and gold just to win this election race. Let the people vote according to their conscience,” Farnacio said in an interview Tuesday.
“We all want leaders who will bring us development and lasting progress and peace in this region, but this can only be achieve if we will have a peaceful and secure election this May 2019 and will not resort to violence just to win the election,” he added.
In the initial list of “areas of concern” in the region, 70 villages are listed by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police. Most areas are located in Northern Samar and Samar provinces. The number represents at least two percent of the total 4,390 villages in the region.
The presence of armed groups like the New People’s Army and intense political rivalry is among the factors why election in Samar towns have been tainted with violence.
Farnacio pointed out that if people really want change, voters should choose candidates who will fight for the people’s welfare especially the underprivileged.
