Camanava candidates sign peace deal with police, private sector

MANILA, Philippines - Local candidates in Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela (Camanava) signed a covenant Friday night with the police and the private sector at the Northern Police District headquarters for an honest and peaceful conduct of the May 10 elections in the area.

Philippine National Police chief Director General Jesus Verzosa, Metro Manila police chief Director Roberto Rosales and NPD director Chief Superintendent Samuel Pagdilao Jr. witnessed the official signing of the Covenant of Hope, which stands for honest, orderly and peaceful elections, at around 7 p.m.

“Rest assured that the NPD police will work twice as hard, perform our duties the best way we can in ensuring that the May 2010 elections in Camanava will be free from violence and other unlawful activities,” Pagdilao said. The activity coincided with Pagdilao’s 53rd birthday.

“That’s really his wish for his birthday, that the conduct of elections in his command would be free of violence,” Chief Inspector Jay Agcaoili, chief of the NPD-Special Operation Group, told The STAR yesterday.

Among those present in the activity were Caloocan City Reps. Mitch Cajayon and Oscar Malapitan, former mayor Rey Malonzo, former Rep. Bobby Guanzon, former Malabon-Navotas Rep. Ricky Sandoval, Navotas Mayor Toby Tiangco, Valenzuela Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian, Rep. Magtanggol “Magi” Gunigundo and several other local officials and aspiring politicians. 

Malabon and Caloocan are among the 10 cities in Metro Manila being closely watched by authorities that may be included in the elections watchlist due to past elections violent incidents.

Malabon has a recent history of political hostility wherein the campaign leader of a local politician was gunned down inside their party headquarters, while in Caloocan City, a political supporter was killed when a hand grenade exploded also inside a local party headquarters.

The NPD has already started their intensified election security operations effective last week, which resulted in the arrest of 54 violators of election-related laws. Of those arrested, 26 were gun ban violators and 28 were nabbed for carrying bladed weapons.   – Pete Laude