The provincial government of Lanao del Sur has set key strategies to address lawlessness in the area, including peacebuilding activities, settling disputes (rido), posting of terror group gallery, deploying modified teams to prevent and counter violent extremism (PCVE), deradicalization of former extremists, transforming Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) members, and building halfway houses.
“Let us assure our communities that we are working together to ensure that lives and properties are secured and safe in Lanao del Sur,” Governor Mamintal Alonto Adiong Jr. said.
During the joint 4th quarter meeting of the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) and Provincial Anti-Drugs Abuse Council (PADAC) on December 11, Adiong said the bombing incident at Mindanao State University (MSU) earlier this month has challenged their endeavors in ensuring that Marawi City and the entire province be free from lawless elements.
“Though we already put a lot of effort into eliminating this problem, it has continued to be a rising concern in places most unexpected,” he said.
With the recent atrocious incident, Adiong urged local leaders and partner agencies to work with them and the security sector to exhaust all means to eliminate the presence of lawless elements in the province.
He emphasized that the 100 percent commitment of local leaders and stakeholders is crucial in nurturing peace, adding that peace and order must be felt in their respective areas of responsibility.
The army, meanwhile, echoed the same appeal, especially in light of the fact that they have also been working to achieve their ultimate objective of driving out the extremist Dawlah Islamiya Maute Group (DI-MG) from the province.
103rd Infantry Brigade Deputy Commander Col. Billy Dela Rosa stressed that while their dedication to keeping society safe remains, the primary factor to be considered should be the determination of the public to help one another to eventually overcome this challenge.
He conveyed that this concern should not be trusted to government officials and the security sector alone, especially since this would require a collective effort.
“Huwag nating pabayaan si Governor at Mayor, at ang mga pulis at Sundalo. Kahit ilang libo pa ang mga sundalo dito sa Lanao del Sur, kung hindi kayo magcooperate, wala ring mangyayari [Let us not leave this to the governor and mayor, and the police and soldiers. Even if there are thousands of soldiers here in Lanao del Sur, if we do not cooperate, nothing will happen],” said Dela Rosa.
Amplifying security efforts
Both the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) have increased security efforts in line with their mission to ensure a secure environment for the residents of Lanao del Sur province.
103rd Infantry Brigade Executive Officer LtCol. Jo Anthony Lee Lalas shared that his unit had laid out programs for PCVE.
Lalas also noted that their initiatives had indeed bore fruit, as he reported that as of press time, eight members of the DI-MG were already neutralized while 26 others had surrendered. For the SRC5-NCMRC, seven members were killed, while 52 yielded.
Lalas said that the 103rd Brigade suggested that the halfway house for surrendered soldiers should get better and offer more services and programs, like a reintegration plan and E-CLIP processing, so that the PCVE program could keep making progress.
Meanwhile, Lanao del Sur Police Provincial Office (LDSPPO) Chief Operations Officer PMaj. Muhiddin Pagayawan reported that a total of 220 suspects were arrested during their conduct of the anti-illegal drugs campaign, wherein 3,509.56 grams of shabu amounting to P23,865,008 were confiscated while 1,196 grams of dried marijuana leaves and 26,300 hills of fully grown marijuana were recovered.
Pagayawan further said that in their campaign against loose firearms, they have seized 72 individuals, confiscated 94 assorted firearms, and accepted the surrendered 243 firearms: two grenades, four rifles, and one 40-mm.
Moreover, in their response to the MSU explosion incident, the security sector detailed that they engaged with the university administration and the Amai Pakpak Medical Center (APMC), assisted in the exodus of students, coordinated with the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) incident command post, and conducted a dialogue with the immediate families of the persons of interest.
Lalas also stated that they have suggested to the PNP that they pursue the filing of appropriate charges against the perpetrators and sustain operations against them, as they would maintain the deployment of security personnel to secure the campus premises. (APB/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur)
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