SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union (PIA) – In an effort to uphold peace and prevent election-related violence, the La Union Provincial Police Office (LUPPO) and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) La Union held a solidarity pact signing at Camp Diego Silang on Tuesday, Feb. 11.
Colonel Heryl Bruno, LUPPO director, emphasized that the peace pact unites key stakeholders from both government agencies and civil society to ensure a transparent, fair, and peaceful electoral process in the 2025 National and Local Elections.
“The solidarity pact signing symbolizes a shared commitment to uphold the rule of law, prevent violence and election-related unrest, and create an atmosphere of mutual respect and trust among all involved parties,” Bruno said.
He further underscored the overarching goal of the initiative—to safeguard the integrity of the elections, guarantee voter security, and encourage active citizen participation.
Lawyer Alipio Alonzo Castillo III, Comelec La Union provincial election supervisor, meanwhile highlighted the importance of active participation in the electoral process, emphasizing that responsible voting and civic engagement are key to shaping a better future.
“In the end, the future is built by deeds and not by words. Speeches alone won’t solve our problems. Action will always speak louder than words,” Castillo said.
Multi-sectoral support for electoral integrity
The event brought together representatives from key agencies, including the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).
Civil society organizations, such as the National Citizens Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) and the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), also pledged their support to uphold the credibility of the upcoming elections.
Police mobilization for midterm polls
As part of security preparations, the Police Regional Office 1 (PRO-1) announced last January that 1,478 police personnel will be deployed across La Union’s 20 towns to maintain peace and order during the elections.
Comelec has also identified three municipalities under the yellow category, which includes areas with recorded election-related incidents in the last two elections or those with a history of politically motivated violence and intense partisan rivalry, as defined in Comelec Resolution No. 11067.
The municipalities include the towns of Agoo, Caba, and Pugo, which will be closely monitored by authorities.
With the 2025 elections fast approaching, authorities and stakeholders remain steadfast in ensuring a credible, orderly, and peaceful electoral process for the people of La Union. (AMB/CCMT, PIA La Union)
