PROCor holds rally for peaceful b’gay, SK polls

CAMP DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet -- The Police Regional Office Cordillera led a multi-sectoral rally here Oct. 16 to promote peaceful barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections set Oct. 30, the regional police information office said.
    Lawyer Julius D. Torres, Cordillera director of Commission on Elections, guest of honor and speaker, was welcomed by Col. Julio S. Lizardo, regional staff chief and accorded traditional Cordillera welcome dance with gongs by police officers.
    As part of the program, Torres with deputy regional director for administration Brig. Gen. Patrick Joseph G. Allan, led awarding of PNP medals to six deserving police officers of PRO Cordillera.
Lt. Col. Geraldine Aydoc, deputy chief of Regional Personnel and Records Management Division, led recitation of statement of commitment for safe elections.
    As highlight of the ceremony, Torres with regional director of  National Police Commission Editha S Puddoc; regional director of Dept. of Interior and Local Government  Araceli San Jose; representative from Department of Education Maksim Botillas; representatives of different faith-based groups, PRO Cordillera Command group; and PNP key officers inscribed their signatures on the pledge of commitment, followed by the releasing of doves, to symbolize freedom and democracy for peaceful and orderly election.  

In his message, Director Torres expressed gratitude for integrity of Cordillera police, saying it will contribute to peaceful BSKE in the region.

He urged those present not to forget the true significant participation during this coming election: to function in a fair and equal way.

“Our gathering here today is both timely and necessary”, he said. “Timely, for we are invoking divine grace; necessary, in the sense that all of us need to be reminded that elections should not be attended with fraud or violence because this is the supreme manifestation of democracy.