Trust achieved in peace covenant signing in Maguindanao – Comelec chief

Several officials of the Comelec, PNP, and the AFP meet with gubernatorial candidates of Maguindanao on Tuesday, March 18, for the signing of peace covenant for the 2025 elections. —Photo by the Office of Comelec chair

MANILA, Philippines — What did the peace covenant signing and candidates’ forum for the 2025 elections in Maguindanao del Norte achieve on Tuesday?

It’s trust, according to Commission on Elections (Comelec) chair George Erwin Garcia.

Gubernatorial candidates of Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) signed a peace covenant as a commitment to ensure and uphold peace and safety for the 2025 elections. They also pledged to reject any form of violence and conduct campaigns with the highest form of integrity.

READ: BARMM peace covenant signing for 2025 polls set on Monday — Comelec

“Tiwala ng bawat isa sa institusyon, sa Comelec, sa AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines), sa PNP (Philippine National Police), sa ibang stakeholders. Sa tiwala na ’yon, maiiwasan ’yung ibang kaguluhan, fake news, misinformation, and disinformation,” Garcia answered in a press conference when asked what the signing achieved.

(Everyone’s trust in the institution, Comelec, AFP, PNP, and other stakeholders. In that trust, we will prevent other concerns, fake news, misinformation, and disinformation.)

READ: BARMM chief minister vows peaceful, orderly polls

Garcia previously said that the signing, which was originally scheduled for Monday, would also pave the way to address and solve other election concerns.

Comelec officials and several personnel of the PNP and the AFP also pledged to collectively create a peaceful election for the people of the two towns.

“This peace covenant is also directed to all of us, to the members of the PNP, the military, and the Commission on Elections and stakeholders… Crucial ang elections ng 2025 kasi malapit na ang 2028 elections. Kung ano ang mangyayari sa 2025 elections, reflections ito ng mangyayari sa atin sa postponed na Bangsamoro parliamentary elections,” Garcia added.

(This peace covenant is also directed to all of us, the members of the PNP, the military, and the Commission on Elections and stakeholders… The 2025 elections are crucial because the 2028 elections are near. What will happen in the 2025 elections will be a reflection of what will happen to the postponed Bangsamoro parliamentary elections.)

Garcia also said that he would direct the Comelec to ensure that neutrality would prevail in the conduct of duty. He also called on the PNP and AFP to address doubts by holding dialogues with constituents.

“We have to be fair to everyone, sapagkat sa bandang huli, maiiwasan ang karahasan,” he said.

(We have to be fair to everyone because, in the end, violence will be prevented.)

In January, the Comelec identified 38 areas of concern under the red category due to grave threats and concerns amid the preparations for the 2025 elections.

Thirty-two areas are under the BARMM, two each in the Cagayan Valley and Bicol region, and one each in Western and Eastern Visayas.