Mamasapano’s peace and order, disaster mgt discussed in a joint meeting

 Photo shows PLT Allan J. Java, municipal chief of police, Lt. Col. Elmer Boongaling, commanding officer of the 33rd Infantry Battalion, municipal Mayor Datu Akmad A. Ampatuan, Jr. and Lt. Col. Charlie Banaag, commanding officer of 6th Infantry Battalion (right to left) in joint meeting about the peace and order situation on Tuesday, December 15, at the Sangguniang Bayan session hall. (Anne B. Acosta)  

MAMASAPANO, Maguindanao – A joint meeting was conducted by the Municipal Peace and Order Council (MPOC), Municipal Anti-Drug Abuse Council (MADAC), and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (MDRRMC) to strengthen peace and order initiatives in their areas of responsibility.

Mayor Datu Akmad A. Ampatuan Jr. led the meeting on Tuesday, December 15, with the presence of Vice Mayor Tahirodin Benzar A. Ampatuan, Municipal Local Government Operations Officer (MLGOO) Edgardo Padolina, PNP and AFP officers, Sangguniang Bayan members, barangay officials, municipal staff and employees, and department heads, religious sectors, civil society organizations, personnel from DepEd, Ministry of Health, and Ministry of Social Services and Development.

The said meeting focused on peace and order, updates on anti-illegal drug campaigns through awareness programs, and records of drug surrenderees.

During presentations, Chief Java gave updates on peace and order situation and the ongoing anti-drug campaign.

“As of recent months, the peace situation is stable in the locality. With regards to campaigns against illegal drugs, it remains manageable because of the active cooperation of barangay officials. Drug surrenderees are also closely monitored,” he said.

“Our troops are always on high alert because of what happened just recently to Datu Piang. We don’t want those incidents to happen to us,” he added.

On the other hand, Lt. Col. Boongaling updated their assessments of the areas under their command about the peace and order situation. Based on pertinent reports, areas are currently stable, with the heightened monitoring of the Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams (BPATs) against lawless groups.

“We all know what happened in Datu Piang. They were surprisingly attacked by a lawless group, the BIFF. To mitigate what happened in Datu Piang, we are collaborating with the forces of the Philippine National Police to safeguard the citizens from acts of terrorism,” he said. 

Apart from updates on security, the RHU presented their accomplishments on the ongoing vaccination for measles-rubella. The unit has achieved a 95 percent rate of vaccinated individuals from the target population.

Meanwhile, issues concerning the unfinished Covid-19 facilities were also discussed to align with the mandates of the national government to build infrastructures for isolation purposes. 

A possibility of putting up a blood bank in Cotabato Regional and Medical Center (CRMC) was also included on the plans.

Furthermore, the Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator (MPDC) announced that the said municipality is drug-cleared.

Mayor Ampatuan expressed gratitude to all who supported their programs amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.

“To all staff and employees, department heads, different line agencies, barangay officials, BPATs members, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) officers, forces of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) who monitored and secured the area 24/7 tirelessly, I owe all successes to you,” he said. (Anne B. Acosta)