By ARTHA KIRA PAREDES
PARANG, Maguindanao— Like a priest sending his flock off to spread the word of peaceful elections, the police chief of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) on Saturday admonished policemen and women serving in Monday’s barangay elections to follow the Blessed Virgin Mary’s example of making the right decision.
This, ARMM Police Chief Superintendent Noel de los Reyes said, means that law enforcers should decide what is good not for themselves but for the entire country.
The region has been known for massive fraud and violence during elections and been called “the cheating capital.” Some law enforcers have been accused of being party to poll irregularities in the area.
At sendoff rites at Camp Bgen Salipada K. Pendatun here for the 1,310 policemen and women to be deployed for elections in Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur, De los Reyes said, “Sa mga darating na mga araw, kayo po ay mapipilitang gumawa ng desisyon. Ang paalala ko lang po sa inyo, natural lang po na pipiliin ninyo ang madali at kung saan kayo makikinabang (In the coming days, you will be forced to make decisions. I am reminding you that it is but natural to choose what is more profitable for you),” De los Reyes said.It’s tempting and even profitable to take the easy road, but those who will be serving in the barangay elections on Monday should follow the Blessed Virgin Mary’s example of making the right decision.