President Rodrigo Roa Duterte made an assurance Friday that the May 9 national and local elections will be honest and free from violence.

“So ang sinabi ko lang, ito tandaan ninyo — I will never, never, never condone election-related violence. Hindi talaga ako papayag na terrorism or intimidation,” President Duterte said in an interview with Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar.

“This is for those who believe in me and for those who do not. Do not do it kasi I will see to it na itong eleksiyon na ito malinis at walang dayaan, walang patayan sa panahon ko.”

The President said the police and the military are highly capable now to ensure peaceful and honest polls, with his government providing them with the necessary things that are needed to enforce the law and guard the nation’s security.

At the same time, he said that he talked with Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana to ensure that this year’s election will be free of intimidation, violence and vote buying.

He warned candidates not to create “artificial scenery” that would make the environment not conducive to fair and honest elections.

“Maghanap kayo ng ibang presidente, huwag sa panahon ko. Sinasabi ko ‘yan sa kapartido ko, sa kasama ko, whatever, kaibigan ko o kalaban ko, ‘yung hindi ko kinakausap,” he said.

“I will see to it and I will guarantee to all candidates, I will be neutral, and the military and the police will see to it that the Constitution — mandated by the Constitution, upon their shoulders, will produce a clean and honest election.” PND