Army invites Cotabato mayoralty contenders in dialogue

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 4): Army invites Cotabato mayoralty contenders in dialogue

DIALOGUE. The Army's 6th Infantry Division commander, Major General Cirilito Sobejana (center), talks to Maguindanao 1st District Representative Bai Sandra Sema (left) and Cotabato City Mayor Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi (right) during a dialogue held Monday (Dec. 3) inside Camp Siongco in Barangay Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao (Photo courtesy of 6th ID)

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao — Two female politicians vying for Cotabato City’s mayoralty position for the 2019 polls have vowed to work for the development of the locality amid their political ambitions.

On Monday, the Army’s 6th Infantry Division commander invited Mayor Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi and Maguindanao first district and Cotabato City Rep. Bai Sandra Sema to speak before the troops during the flag-raising ceremony inside this camp.

“Both (Sayadi and Sema) are strong political leaders in Cotabato City and we have invited them to unite, communicate and speak to the Kampilan troops of their plans, programs, and services,” Maj. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana said.

Sayadi, who was the first to speak, shared her desire to maintain the city's peace and order and emphasized the need to have a political will to solve the problems confronting the city.

“I know that without a stable peace and order condition, Cotabato City will not develop, and progress will not become a reality,” Sayadi said.

For Sema, the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) remains an important factor for peace and progress and that Cotabato residents play an important role to make the new Bangsamoro entity succeed.

“BOL is not a religious statement, or (cause) the deepening of the cultural divide. Rather, it guarantees religious freedom as enshrined in our Constitution,” said Sema, one of the law's principal authors.

BOL was signed into law and is only awaiting ratification from a plebiscite slated on January 21, 2019 to determine its geographic makeup.

After the ceremony, Sobejana led a dialogue with the two political rivals to ensure their commitment to peaceful elections in the city next year.

“We find it necessary to invite both of you because you are of great help in maintaining peace and order in Cotabato City,” Sobejana told the mayoral contenders.

“You are both leaders and we need you to maintain the partnership to pursue peace in our community. It is also the right time for us to support each other, so let us all help one another,” the military official added.

Both Sayadi and Sema promised to open the lines of communication between each other and to strengthen the city's peace and development initiatives.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1055660