ARMM candidates sign peace pact for peaceful elections

• Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=863525
• Saturday, March 5, 2016

(PNA), JBP/NYP/EOF

COTABATO CITY, March 5 (PNA) -- Candidates from regional down to municipal elective positions on Friday signed a peace covenant aimed at ensuring a peaceful and orderly elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman, standard bearer of Liberal Party in the regional polls and Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Toto Mangudadatu, also of LP, both led the signing of peace covenant for peaceful ARMM elections, witnessed by poll, military, police and election watchdog officials at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Center here.

Maguidnanao 1st district Rep. Bai Sandra Sema and 2nd district Rep. Zajid Mangudadatu, both of LP and reelectionists, also affixed their signatures to help in the campaign for peaceful balloting.

Laisa Alamia, ARMM executive secretary, earlier said the signing was the highlight of a public forum on "Gender related election violence" organized by the Commission on Elections and the Bangsamoro Commission on Women.

"Women are the most disadvantage sector during elections and they usually become victims of election related violence (ERVs) before, during and after elections," Alamia told DXMS Radyo Bida's "Aksyon ARMM" program.

"Most if not all the members of the board of election inspectors are teachers who are women," Alamia added. "What they have learned form the forum will help them cope with the threats and intimidation that usually accompany elections in the ARMM," she added.

The forum, Alamia said, provided women workers during elections how to defend themselves and what to do when dangers come.

Maj. Gen. Edmundo Pangilinan, 6th Infantry Division commander, led the military in signing the peace covenant aimed at saving lives during elections.

The four ARMM provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi are traditionally hot spot areas during local, regional and national elections.

Alamia said it was the first of its kind in the ARMM and in the country where women's safety is assured during a forum participated also by officials of the poll body.