Moises Padilla officials and candidates have committed to ensure that the local and national elections in May will be peaceful in their town.
The officials and candidates led by Mayor Ella Garcia-Yulo signed the peace covenant Tuesday, February 8, at rites held in the town’s evacuation center.
Detained officials including Vice Mayor Ian Villafor, who is seeking reelection, also joined the signing of the peace pact.
The Commission on Elections has categorized Moises Padilla as an area of grave concern following election violence and intense political rivalry in the 2019 elections, which prompted President Rodrigo Duterte to visit the town to assure residents that it was safe to vote. The town was placed under Comelec control in 2019.
Lt. Col. Melvin Flores, commander of the Philippine Army’s 62nd Infantry Battalion, said he is hoping that the candidates have learned from the previous elections and will ensure that the upcoming polls is safe and peaceful.
Maj. Randy Babor, town police chief, said they have not monitored any private armed groups in the area or movement from the rebel group.
In April 2019, the campaign convoy of Yulo, then vice mayor, was ambushed in Barangay Inolingan. She survived the attack but her brother Marc Garcia, former Moises Padilla Liga ng mga Barangay president, and nephew, Councilor Michael Garcia, were killed after they sacrificed their lives so she and the others could take cover in nearby houses.
The tagging of Moises Padilla as an area of grave concern is advantageous since the Army and the police will intensify their monitoring of the town to ensure that the election is safe and peaceful, Yulo said.
While there is peace in the town, she urged everyone not to be complacent because “we really don’t know” what’s going to happen.
She called on her fellow officials, candidates, and even supporters to preserve the peace in their town, as they all have one goal, which is to serve the people.*