Members of different civil groups, including the Valenzuela City Police and its local candidates, joined a Unity Walk and Peace Covenant Signing a day before the start of the electoral campaign for local candidates.
Valenzuela City Police Chief, Police Colonel Nixon Cayaban, led the event and emphasized the importance of maintaining the integrity of the electoral process and remaining united despite political differences.
“Together, with the collective efforts of all sectors, government, law enforcement, the faith community, civil society, and our residents, we are confident and we will ensure a peaceful and quiet midterm election,” Cayaban said.
He also stated that local police are intensifying Comelec checkpoints and strictly enforcing the gun ban.
To ensure impartiality, the police chief added that officers who are "directly or indirectly" supporting candidates have been reassigned.
The local police also confirmed that there are no identified election hotspots or areas of concern within Valenzuela City.
The Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), which also graced the event, stressed their importance as poll watchers, noting that they are not enemies of the local candidates and voters.
Among the notable attendees for the local candidates were Valenzuela City Vice Mayor Lorie Natividad-Borja, who will run as the councilor of the second district, and Dr. Kat Martinez, who will run as the city’s second district representative.
Natividad-Borja said that peace covenant signings are “very important” as they show the unity ahead of the elections.
“Events like these peace signings show that the local candidates, government units, and civil organizations are united ahead of the local elections in Valenzuela City,” the vice-mayor said, urging the residents to “work as one” to maintain the peace in the city.
The campaign for local government posts will begin this Friday, 28 March.