PEACE PACT. Representatives of various groups and local election candidates let loose doves to symbolize peace during the signing of a covenant for honest and peaceful elections at Camp Salipada Pendatun in Parang, Maguindanao on Thursday (Feb. 24, 2022). The signatories pledged to cooperate to ensure the May 9 polls will be orderly. (Photo courtesy of Police Regional Office-BAR) PARANG, Maguindanao - The Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR) on Friday urged local government officials and candidates in the May 9 polls to support the disarmament program of the Philippine National Police (PNP). Brig. Gen. Arthur Cabalona, PRO-BAR director, issued the appeal after municipal government officials in Sitangkai, Tawi-Tawi, facilitated the surrender of 11 assorted high-powered firearms. Cabalona said 10 civilians turned in four Garand rifles, one M-14 rifle, two M-16 Armalite rifles, three .45-caliber pistols, and one 9-millimeter pistol on February 22. All surrendered
FOR PEACEFUL BARMM POLLS. Comelec-BARMM deputy regional director Renault Macarambon (left) and Brig. Gen. Arthur Cabalona, police director for BARMM (right), shown in these undated photos, vow to help ensure peaceful national and local balloting in the region. Election and police officials in the BARMM have started the series of their coordinated meetings Wednesday (Feb. 9, 2022) on election hotspots in the region. (Photo courtesy of Comelec-BARMM/PRO-BARMM) COTABATO CITY - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is finalizing its list of areas of concern in the region for the May 9 polls. Lawyer Renault Macarambon, Comelec-BARMM assistant regional director, said Wednesday they are reviewing all places in the region that are up for classification as areas of immediate concern and areas of concern. "During election season in the BARMM, the security of voters, poll officials, and the public is a major issue," Macaramb