I am from San Fernando, Pampanga, and I am glad that soldiers from the Northern Luzon Command and other field units are assisting the police to maintain peace and order in today’s barangay (village) elections. Our barangay is among the 214 Central Luzon villages that have been classified as “hot spots.”
Many candidates have already been shot or killed, and we hope that with the presence of soldiers and policemen, the elections will not turn into a day of violence or killings. We do not want such aberration to befall our barangay or other barangays.
We call on those who plan to disrupt the elections to do away with their plans. Let’s exercise the right to vote in peace.
We, the voting public, will also help keep the peace by being vigilant ourselves. Let’s not waste any more lives in today’s electoral exercise.
—HEDELIZA B. MAGPAYO,
hedeliza_magpayo@yahoo.com