MAGUINDANAO governor Esmael Mangudadatu and 13 other “peacemakers” were recognized Friday for their role in helping reduce election-related violence in the recently concluded elections.
The nongovernment organization Consortium for Electoral Reform, which spearheaded the Vote Peace project, gave out the awards as it ended a conference assessing the conduct of the May 10 automated elections.
The Consortium recognized church and civil society groups, and police officials who worked to get various sectors to cooperate in bringing about peaceful elections in areas long considered hotspots.
Commissioner Rene Sarmiento of the Commission on Elections, Asia Foundation country representative Steve Rood, Police Superintendent Josefino Cataluna and CER chair Ramon Casiple handed out the plaques of recognition to the “peacemakers.”
The other awardees included Aksyon Mindanao, the Ateneo Peace and Culture Institute, Masbate Advocates for peace, the Abra Multisectoral Group, and the Dioceses of Masbate, Bangued and Legazpi.
Police superintendents Eddie Benigay and Victor Deona were recognized for their work in helping keep the peace in Masbate, while Lt Gen Ben Dolorfino was also cited for his work in Western Mindanao.
Mangudadatu, who was commended for getting politicians inside and outside Maguindanao to commit to a peace covenant, dedicated his award to his wife Genalyn, his two sisters and the victims who were killed in November 23 Maguindanao massacre.