Negros Occidental: The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) is promoting a peaceful and orderly national and local election process scheduled for May 12. This initiative is marked by the signing of peace covenants among local candidates.

According to Philippines News Agency, since last week, candidates in five local government units (LGUs) have participated in separate covenant signing activities hosted by their respective police offices and stations. NOCPPO Director Col. Rainerio De Chavez stated the agency’s commitment to maintaining peace throughout the election period.

On Sunday, Moises Padilla town auditorium hosted a unity walk followed by a peace covenant signing. Local candidates, including Mayor Ella Celestina Garcia-Yulo and Vice Mayor Adrian Villaflor, were in attendance. These former allies are both running for the mayoral position. The event was also attended by officials and representatives from the Philippine National Police, Philippine Army, Commission on Elections (Comelec), and other agencies and sectoral groups.

Similar peace covenant activities were conducted by the Toboso Municipal Police Station on February 3, E.B. Magalona Municipal Police Station on February 4, Bago Component City Police Station on February 5, and Sagay Component City Police Station on February 6. Through these covenants, candidates pledged to respect the constitution, election laws, and Comelec regulations, engage in fair campaigning, and ensure clean elections free from vote-buying, fraud, and intimidation.

Additionally, candidates committed to taking responsibility for their campaign teams’ actions and to accepting election results with integrity and respect. On February 7, Col. De Chavez met with Provincial Elections Supervisor Ian Lee Ananoria to discuss security plans, focusing on ongoing peace covenant activities, police involvement in election duties, and addressing potential security issues in areas with a history of political unrest.