No violent incidents

MANILA, Philippines - This refers to the news item released in your daily newspaper last October 22, 2009 issue where Mr. Lino dela Cruz and Mr. John Unson reported and quoted among others that the registration of new voters in the municipality of Tamparan, Lanao del Sur was disrupted when masked men opened fire at the registrants using assault rifles thus seriously wounding five innocent victims and consequently forcing hundred others to flee for their safety.

As the Local Chief Executive, I am constantly present in my area of jurisdiction and I have full knowledge of the goings-on everywhere in my town. I would like to put it straight and pointblank that nothing of this sort as alleged in your daily newspaper happened or have ever occurred in my town during the registration of new voters by the personnel of the Commission on Election. Since the start of registration and up to this writing no violent incidents were perpetrated by bad elements.

I have worked hard with barangay officials, the Council for the Elderly, the religious leaders, the townspeople and even the leaders of rebel groups particularly in restoring peace and the rule of law in our town since we all believe that this will be the key to achieving our vision of a peaceful, caring and economically progressive Tamparan. I would not also allow irresponsible reporting whose sources of information are not clear, to malign the reputation, the public image and the collective peace- building efforts of the local government and its partners.

May I, in the spirit of truth and responsible reporting, ask you to make the necessary corrections and straighten out the baseless news item your newspaper had earlier published. — JANEREE P. DISOMIMBA, Mayor, Municipality of Tamparan, Lanao del Sur