The Commission on Elections-Davao and other stakeholders in Region 11 signed a solidarity pledge to preserve the integrity of the 2025 national and local elections.

Among those who signed the pledge were representatives of COMELEC-11, Police Regional Office-Davao (PRO-11), 10th Infantry Division, Department of Interior and Local Government-Davao (DILG-11), other agencies concerned, and civic groups.

“Nandito kami sa isang solidarity pact kung saan sinosolidify namin ang aming commitment and assurance to our countrymen we are here to uphold the integrity of the elections at whatever cost,” COMELEC-11 Director, Atty. Michael Abas, said.

PRO-11 assured that peace and order will be maintained, especially during the election period, even if the region has no election areas of concern.

“For our security and preventive measures I intensified the border control points para makaiwas tayo sa mga pumapasok from other regions and provinces,” PRO-11 Director, Brigadier General Leon Victor, said.

Rosete also reminded the public and police officers to follow the rule of law in implementing warrantless arrest and citizen’s arrest against those who will be caught buying votes as these are already allowed, based on a COMELEC resolution.

Vote buying is considered an election offense under the Omnibus Election Code.

“We will follow the rule of law. We strictly remind our police officers ipapatupad po natin ang ganyang arrest and seizure in an orderly in accordance in the rule of law,” Rosete said.

“That is a welcome development for all of us in that way we will arrest any violators caught in in flagrante delicto dito makikita niyo po na kami ay nagtatrabaho para sa bayan,” Abas added.

Meanwhile, DILG-11 warned employees of local government units to refrain from participating in partisan political activities as this is considered electioneering.

“Yung expressly campaigning yung sinasabi talaga na vote for particular candidate yun yung manifestation that they are engaging in electioneering or partisan politics, liking and sharing okay pa yun,” DILG-11 Assistant Regional Director, Charissa Guerta, said.

“If they are just an audience allowed naman yun kasi they need to listen naman kung ano yung mga stand o plano ng mga candidates for the betterment ng community but to be on stage ibang usapan yun. Yung nakasuot ng mga t-shirt na may pangalan ng mga kandidato definitely hindi yun kasi for me that is indirect campaigning already,” Guerta added.

Those who will violate may face suspension or dismissal from service.