LU execs, folks, churches protest political killings

By Myds Supnad

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union – Protesting recent killings related to politics in the region, government, private and religious stakeholders held activities in towns of La Union for “secure and fair elections” (SAFE) this May.

A total of 205 bikers took part in “Bike for peaceful election” which kicked off at Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University, La Union Campus DMMMSU- South La Union in Agoo town.

This, while Christian religious organizations, local communities, civil society groups, student sectors, Commission on Election officials and police conducted ecumenical liturgy for peace.

Organizers said Crusade For Peace: Bisikleta Para sa Kapayapaan, served as awareness campaign to support police in Ilocos Region promote participation of communities in reporting lawless elements and untoward incidents.

Chief Supt. Ricardo C. Marquez, Ilocos Region police director said support from religious and civil society groups to SAFE was significant and encouraging.

“We are a government of laws, and not of men and we have our laws written on paper for all to see and abide by, thus, they cannot be changed, redefined, or looked at differently by any man at his whim, that is why, clearly, the law’s intention is to defeat political killings, and any other acts of lawless violence and obstructions of the right to suffrage.” Marquez said.

Senior Supt Reynaldo G. Biay, Regional Special Operations Task Group commander of La Union and Senior Supt Ramon L. Rafael, La Union provincial director, organized the event composed of 205 bikers from the Fun Cycle Club of San Fernando City, La Union, and joined by members of PNP La Union, students, NGOs, local government employees, Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams, private and religious sectors and the local community.

“Kami po sa kapulisan ay lubos na naniniwalang hindi namin makakayang maipatupad ang batas kung wala ang suporta mismo ng mga mamamayan dahil kailangan po natin ng matatag na ugnayan ng mamamayan at kapulisan tungo sa mapayapa at ligtas na pamayanan.” Biay said.

As early as November last year, PRO1 in partnership with other stakeholders staged several activities to prevent election- related violent incidents in the region

Present during the ecumenical liturgy were the religious sectors led by TIGNAY- PPCRV or “Ti Gimong Nga Aggunay, Gimong Nga Agbantay”- Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), Peace Builders of La Union, Pastors’ Fellowship, Catholic Charismatic Groups, and other groups such as the La Union Conference on Human Rights, Kanlungan, Amnesty International, Comelec officials, student representatives, members of the PNP, and other local government employees, among others.