ILIGAN CITY (PIA)--Some 70 political aspirants here and in Lanao del Norte province joined a unity walk and signed on a peace covenant for clean, peaceful, orderly, and credible midterm elections in May.

Administration and opposition candidates attended the event together with officials from the Commission on Elections or COMELEC, Philippine National Police, Philippine Army, Department of Education, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Parish Pastoral Council for responsible voting, and others. 

Police Regional Office 10 director PBGen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. conveyed appreciation to the political aspirants for participating in the aid event. 

"My utmost respect and thanks to political candidates of different parties who are exerting efforts to attend this momentous event and bestowed their support by signing the peace covenant towards peaceful elections,” he said.

Local candidates and officials also joined the interfaith prayer led by several religious leaders. 

Meanwhile, COMELEC Region 10's election director Atty. Francisco Pobe also encouraged the voters in Northern Mindanao to exercise their right to suffrage.

"Sa mga constituents and voters nato sa [To the constituents and voters here] in Northern Mindanao, this coming May 9 elections is a crucial election for us because we will be changing guards of our leaders for the next 6 years that will come. Amo gihangyo na [we encourage you to] exercise your sacred rights to vote because your votes count a lot,” said Pobe. 

Doves were also released afterward to symbolize secure and fair elections. (LELA/PIA Lanao del Norte)