By Manny Balbin and Ric Sapnu/PNA
CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan — Senior Supt. Chito Bersaluna, provincial director of the Bulacan Police Provincial Office, on Sunday reminded all the police personnel to remain apolitical at all times and avoid participating in any partisan political activity during the election.
Likewise, he assured the public that they are exerting their best efforts to maintain the security and integrity of the 2019 mid-term polls.
Bersaluna spoke during the kick-off ceremony of the election period in Central Luzon.
A unity walk, interfaith prayer rally and peace covenant signing were held, aimed at promoting clean and violence-free elections in the entire region.
The Police Regional Office 3 (PRO 3), Commission on Elections, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting spearheaded the activities.
The unity walk was also attended by students and members of concerned government agencies, religious groups, the academe and civic and non-government organizations.
It started at around 5 a.m. at the Barasoain Church here, where the participants converged and held an interfaith prayer rally led by Msgr. Pablo Legaspi, Pastor John Pangilinan and Ustag Gamor from the Muslim community.
Comelec Regional Director Artemio Lambino said the event symbolizes democracy and a better community. “We want to project honest, orderly and fair elections,” he noted.
“We are serious in this symbol. Every group of people, every individual acts as one group as a symbol for a credible election,” he added.
After the interfaith prayer rally, a short program followed which was highlighted by the signing of a pledge for clean and honest elections and releasing of doves.
Chief Supt. Joel Coronel, PRO 3 director, said similar events were held in the national headquarters and different regional offices to drumbeat the significance of the mid-term elections this May.
“We are doubling efforts on our preparations to ensure safe and fair elections. We want to assure the public that we are on the right track and highly vigilant in ensuring that there are enough police officers deployed on the streets for the maintenance of peace and order especially on the election day,” Coronel said.
He encouraged the participants as well as the public to continuously support them in their endeavors.
“We are indeed counting on you so that we can continue to take positive strides forward. Together, let us work for safe, clean and fair elections,” he added.
