Ecija PNP assures they will remain neutral, non-partisan in May polls
JAEN, Nueva Ecija – “Wala po kaming kinakampihan, ang kapulisan po ay mananatiling non-partisan at ang lahat po ay handa naming paglingkuran gayundin ang panatilihin ang kaayusan at katahimikan para sa darating na halalan ngayong Mayo 12, 2025.”
Thus, said Jaen police head Maj. Ernesto V. Esguerra as he welcomed all the political aspirants vying for local positions for mayor, vice mayor and councilors gathered inside the St. Augustine Parish Church after a brief “Unity Walk” from the Nepo Mall in Bgy. Apo Esquivel on Thursday morning.
Among those who attended the peace covenant-signing were the mother-and-son tandem of Mayor Sylvia C. Austria and Vice Mayor Sylvester C. Austria, who have switched positions with the younger Austria now running for mayor, and his mother for vice mayor under Gov. Aurelio M. Umali’s Unang Sigaw during the 2025 local polls.
Also present were eight members of their “Samahang Austria” councilor bets – councilor Josie Angeles, Nanding Carlos, Archie Cruz, councilors Tony Ocampo and Gerry Quetua, Resty Reyes, Ronnel Santos, and councilor Norman Velarde.
Two of three opposing mayoral bets also joined the event— councilor Lorenzo “Larry” Manuel and former vice mayor Henry Velarde (independent).
Manuel’s vice mayoral tandem – councilor Santy Matias and their five councilor bets – Jimmy Barioga, Teresita Costales, Alejandro Marin, Arsenia Javate, and Isagani Tagalag were also present.
“No shows” were mayoral bet Eboy Esquivel, son of former mayor Antonio Prospero Esquivel, and vice mayoral bet Jane De Guzman.
Nueva Ecija top cop Col. Ferdinand D. Germino thanked all the political aspirants for gracing the “symbolic event” as he assured them that the police will remain neutral and non-partisan to ensure the successful holding of an honest, orderly and secure local polls this coming May.
Aside from Esguerra and Germino, also serving as witnesses to the “Unity Walk, Inter-Faith Prayer Rally, Peace Covenant Signing and Ceremonial Release of White Balloons for peace and unity were parish priest Rev. Fr. Jeffrey Alarilla, municipal Comelec officer Gershwin Matias, municipal DILG officer Jonnel Edillor, DepEd district supervisor Arnold Galvez, Rev. Dr. Leomelo Dela Cruz Jr., chair-Jaen Ministerial, and Manuel Noah Lopez.
This town is one of the seven municipalities in Nueva Ecija aside from Cabanatuan City, Gapan City, Aliaga, Cabiao, Lupao, and San Leonardo flagged under the yellow category of the election areas of concern for the 2025 polls, meaning it has a history of political unrest.
