JOLO, Sulu – Police and military authorities in Sulu expressed confidence that the province will have a peaceful and orderly polls in the May 10 synchronized local and national elections.

Government authorities said local politicians recently signed a peace covenant and pledged to support the government’s campaign for peace, orderly, and honest elections in the coming local and national polls.

Some 300 people witnessed the signing of the so-called “Covenant for Hope Sulu 2010” initiated by civil society, religious, and various organizations, including the police and military.

Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan, who is seeking a reelection, and former governor Benjamin Loong, now a vice gubernatorial candidate and their party members led the signing of the covenant.

Rep. Munir Arbison (2nd District, Sulu), now on his third and last term and is running against Tan, and former rebel chieftain Nurulaji Misuari, who twice ran and lost in previous gubernatorial elections failed to attend the signing of the election peace pact.

Among those who attended the signing of the “Covenant for Hope Sulu 2010” were Catholic priests Jose Ante and Romeo Villanueva; Western Mindanao Command (WesMinCom) commander Lt. Gen. Benjamin Dolorfino, Dr. Hannbal Bara of the Sulu People’s Congress, and Sulu provincial police director Sr. Supt Joseph Ramac.