By: Rodrigo S. Victoria
NAVAL, Biliran) – Nearly 300 Biliranons walked in the early morning on Sunday, January 20, for one common objective- to have a secure and fair election in the mid-term elections in May 2013.
The early morning unity walk was in line with Safe and Fair Election (SAFE) 2013 espoused and launched nationwide by the Philippine National Police (PNP) for a safe and fair conduct of the 2013 elections nationwide.
The conduct of the unity walk in Biliran province was initiated and led by the Biliran Police Provincial Office (BPPO) under the leadership of PSSupt. Felix Alberca Diloy.
The unity walk that started from the port area in Naval poblacion and ended at the BPPO grounds in Barangay Larrazabal in Naval town was participated in by some officials and employees of the national government agencies like the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Commission on Elections (Comelec) and other offices including the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) and non-government organizations stationed in Naval town.
A platoon from the 19th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army based in Kananga, Leyte and college students from the naval reserve officers training course in Naval State University also joined the unity walk.
Candidates seeking for local elective posts in the provincial and municipal level specifically in Naval town joined the unity walk. However, there were local candidates who did not join the unity walk.
An inter-faith prayer from the different religious groups and a covenant signing aside from the unity walk were also held.
Meanwhile, PSSupt. Diloy emphasized in his closing remarks that the PNP is now under the supervision of the Comelec during the election period.
Diloy also stressed that the members of the PNP in Biliran province will strictly observe to the established election rules, regulations and procedures to achieve SAFE 2013.
Marilyn Saboy, provincial director of DILG-Biliran and Vida Salud Donaldo of Comelec-Biliran reminded also in their messages to the local candidates present during the unity walk to obey and strictly follow the election rules in the attainment of SAFE 2013. (PIA-Biliran)