Maguindanao, Lanao Sur politicos assure peaceful contests

COTABATO CITY – Camps of rival politicians in Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur, two of six provinces tagged lately by police authorities as possible hotspots in the 2016 elections, have assured to pursue cordial and professional conduct of electoral competitions starting from the campaign period up to the proclamation of winners.

This developed as election officials in the two Muslim provinces were reported as girding to replicate the forging of peace covenant among candidates for local elective posts in the provincial and municipal levels.

In the 2013 polls, civilian, police and military authorities led by Commission on Elections (Comelec) officials had brokered peace covenants among candidates for governor, vice governor, congress and municipal positions in Maguindanao leading to the orderly conduct that year of electoral exercises in the province without major untoward incident.

Reelectionist Maguindanao Gov. Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu of the ruling Liberal Party and contender Ali Midtimbang of the opposition United Nationalists Alliance (UNA) as well as their provincial slates are “very willing” to put into writing commitments for peaceful electoral contests, supporters said.

“Signing a covenant for ideal electoral contest is a reassuring resource. We had done it before. We can do it again for the next elections. But with or without a written agreement, the public can rest assured of my firm adherence to clean, fair and honest elections,” Gov. Mangudadatu said in a text message when sought for confirmation.

He said “politicians in our province cannot allow violence to happen again,” hinting at the nightmarish electionrelated massacre on Nov. 23, 2009 where 58 people including 32 media workers, his wife, two sisters and other female kin and two friend-lawyers perished.

Sources said the Comelec regional office for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) was coordinating local candidates in Lanao del Sur to sign a peace covenant before the start of the campaign period.

Lanao del Sur has three key gubernatorial candidates: Soraya AlontoAdiong, mother of “graduating” Gov. Mamintal “Bombit” Adiong Jr.; outgoing Marawi City Mayor Fahad “Pres” Salic; and “graduating” 2nd District Rep. Pangalian Balindong.

Last Tuesday, the Philippine National Police (PNP) named Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur as among six provinces it eyed as possible hotspots in the coming elections. The four other provinces are Masbate, Negros Oriental, Western Samar and Pangasinan.

PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Wilben Mayor said additional resources and personnel would be sent to such provinces to “ensure safety” in the conduct of the 2016 elections therein.

The PNP was monitoring at least 76 private armed groups (PAGs) nationwide, 69 of which are reportedly operating in Mindanao.

The PNP is coordinating with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Commission on Elections and political parties in pursuit of peaceful and order political campaign and voting.