COTABATO CITY, Philippines – Muling tiniyak ng Philippine National Police (PNP) ang seguridad para sa kauna-unahang Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliamentary elections, kabilang ang pagpigil sa karahasan at pagpapatupad ng election gun ban.
Ayon kay PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., mahigpit nilang minomonitor ang mga insidente ng pamamaril at iba pang karahasan sa BARMM.
“We will not allow violence or the proliferation of loose firearms to undermine the upcoming elections. We have directed our units in BARMM to intensify enforcement of the election gun ban and strengthen coordination with other security agencies,” ani Nartatez.
Batay sa monitoring report ng Climate Conflict Action Asia at Early Response Network, kabilang sa mga sanhi ng karahasan ang political rivalry, alitan ng mga angkan at away sa lupa, kabilang ang ambush kay Bangsamoro Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua noong Agosto 15.
Gayunman, sinabi ni Nartatez na kontrolado pa rin ang sitwasyon sa BARMM.
“Our personnel are on alert and are focused on preventing election-related violence, particularly in areas with known political, clan, and security concerns,” aniya.
Samantala, sinabi ng Commission on Elections (Comelec) na 7,000 automated counting machines at iba pang election materials na ang naipadala sa mga local hub. Inaasahang makukumpleto bago Setyembre 8 ang delivery sa 105 munisipalidad at dalawang lungsod.
May 5,212 voting precincts at 2.393 milyong registered voters sa BARMM elections. Tumulong din ang Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) at iba pang local stakeholders sa seguridad.
“We assure the people of BARMM that the PNP is prepared to protect their safety and ensure that they can exercise their right to vote freely and peacefully. We will maintain police visibility and strengthen security in polling areas and other critical locations,” ani Nartatez.
Hinimok din niya ang mga police commander at personnel na manatiling mapagbantay, patas at propesyonal upang maprotektahan ang bawat botante, kandidato at election worker.
Samantala, pinuri ni Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento ang Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) sa pagsali sa Joint Pledge of Commitment kasama ang pamahalaan para sa mapayapa, maayos at kredibleng halalan sa BARMM.
“The parties have also agreed on the Guidelines for Mutual Understanding between the Coordinating Committees on the Cessation of Hostilities and the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group of the Government and the MILF to govern ceasefire-related functions during the upcoming polls in the BARMM,” ani Sarmiento.
Ayon sa kanya, ipinapakita ng kasunduan ang seryosong commitment ng magkabilang panig na protektahan ang mga tagumpay ng Bangsamoro Peace Process laban sa anumang insidenteng may kaugnayan sa halalan.
“As the head of the OPAPRU, which is mandated to ‘manage, direct, integrate, and supervise all aspects of the comprehensive Philippine Peace Process,’ I call on all Political Parties to strictly abide by Comelec (Commission on Elections) orders and protocols, particularly the gun ban,” dagdag niya.
Pinuri rin ni Sarmiento si Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. sa kanyang pangako na magiging ligtas, mapayapa at kredible ang halalan:
“Be assured that this Administration will do everything within our mandate to ensure that the elections are safe, peaceful, and credible.”
Sinabi ni Sarmiento na titiyakin din ng OPAPRU ang karapatan ng bawat Bangsamoro voter na makaboto nang malaya at walang takot. RNT/MDS
