National prayer for HOPE launched

CEBU, Philippines -  The Police Regional Office-7 in collaboration with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and some religious and non-government organizations yesterday hosted a national prayer for law enforcers who will play the crucial role of ensuring honest, orderly and peaceful elections.

Police Community Relations chief Orlando Ualat said that the activity will be performed every Wednesday for the entire month of April. He said that this is part of the advocacy service that they are conducting for the coming elections. Since the start of the election period, Ualat said they have already implemented various advocacy programs related to elections.

“This program is intended to promote awareness for HOPE among the various community sectors,” he said.  

Commission on Elections provincial election supervisor Lionel Marco R. Castillano said that this is the first time that a national prayer for law enforcers is being offered. He credited the PNP for the idea of having it.

“The election is not the duty of PNP or AFP nor COMELEC alone but it is every Filipinos duty to participate and to help,” Castillano said.

 “Dako kaayo og ikatabang ang national prayer kay in all our actions, in all our endeavors, we should be guided by God,” Castillano stressed.

He furthered that voters should pray that this election will be successful, especially that this is the first time to conduct an automated election. Castillano said that if it will be successful, the next elections will be easy and convenient for all of us.

Brig. Gen. Jessie Dellosa, deputy commander of the AFP Central Command, encouraged the law enforcers to do their duties religiously to gain back the trust of the Filipino people and to show the whole world that we are united.

“We are the protector of the sanctity of the ballot…if you want to do something to the country, this is the right time to do it,” Dellosa stressed.

Provincial police director Erson Digal yesterday met with the members of the Special Reaction Unit to refresh them of the dos and don’ts during the election period.

He reminded the members of the SRU to remain neutral and avoid being partisan. The SRU, an elite police unit in the province, will be tasked to maintain the peace and order in the province during the elections on May 10. (FREEMAN NEWS)