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COTABATO CITY --- This city
government strengthens its fight against terrorism as Mayor Atty. Frances Cynthia
Guiani-Sayadi convened last June 21 the quarterly City Peace and Order Council (CPOC)
held at South Seas Convention Hall.
Guiani-Sayadi took the opportunity to give her
clear-cut instructions in safeguarding the city from acts of terrorism, saying:
“The safety of the residents remains to be my top priority.”
The city government held its Peace and Order Council
meeting hours after the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters’ (BIFF) offensive
in Pigcawayan, a nearby town in North Cotabato.
Jonas Mohamad, chair of Barangay Poblacion 9
(Biniruan), reported sighting of some 100 armed men from Kabuntalan,
Maguindanao across a river hours before the group attacked the nearby villages
of Malagakit and Simsiman in Pigcawayan.
The reported sighting of the armed groupprompted
city government to raise security alert measures.
It was learned that the BIFF members attacked two
farming villages in Pigcawayan where they used the civilians as human shields
to prevent soldiers from getting close to their positions. They raided the
outposts of community watchmen, looted houses, took farm animals, and ransacked
a school in Barangays Simsiman and Malagakit.
“I met once again with the Peace and Order Council
in the midst of the crisis happening in places near our city. I especially
addressed our barangay officials and urged them to perform their duties as
elected officials 24 hours a day. In addition, I would also want to remind them
to continue the war against drugs and other crimes,” said Guiani-Sayadi.
Senior Superintendent Victor Valencia, city police
director, said there is a collaborative contingency plan crafted by the city
government, the police, and the Army.
“The contingency plan involves clustering of
endangered areas and strict checkpoint inspection of suspicious-looking
motorists and passengers and how to safeguard the barangays, most especially
along the river tributaries,” Valencia said.
While terrorism poses a threat, the mayor said “we
still have an ongoing war against illegal drugs.”
“These absentee barangay officials should watch it.
It is stated in the local government code that the mayor has the power to
recommend for the imposition of sanctions against erring and uncooperative
barangay officials for grave neglect of duty,” Guani-Sayadi stressed.
In a previous gathering last June 14, the 37
barangays of this city have strengthened their support to the local
government’s fight against terrorism.
Guiani-Sayadi said the Barangay Peacekeeping Action
Teams (BPATs) of the city’s 37 barangays should be pro-active and help the law
enforcers in securing the city and at all times “be ready to defend it.”
Each barangay has a BPAT or Tanods as well as
Civilian Voluntary Organizations are willing to defend their respective area of
responsibility.
“I urge everyone to fight if we must. We must not
be scared because there is nothing to fear,” said Guiani-Sayadi.
The lady mayor reiterated that there is nothing to
fear and Cotabateños are advised not to panic and continue with their daily
activities.
“Remain vigilant and cooperate with the law
enforcers at all times. Each and every Cotabateño should have a watchful eye.
The LGU, the PNP, and the Army shall protect the people, but we should all
cooperate and discipline our ranks, too. Fight if we must. This is our
place," the mayor said.
With the full backing of all the BPAT members who
have pledged to defend their communities against lawless elements, the city
government is confident in safeguarding the city.
The city government of Cotabato, the city's local
police, and the Army-led Joint Task Force Kutawato are working hand-in-hand in
maintaining peace and order in the city and keeping its communities secured.
Further, basic utility firms on power and
communication have been on 24/7 alert.
“I appeal to the PLDT, Globe and Smart
Telecommunications to ensure good service because it is a dire need, especially
at these times,” the mayor said.
Attendees during the CPOC included representatives
from thePNP, AFP, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau
of Fire Protection, telecommunications companies, Department of Education,
barangays, and city government departments. (GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE ACOSTA – MINDANAON EXPOSE’)
Contingency plan
The City Peace and Order Council (CPOC) here has laid down a
multi-sectoral contingency plan to address threats of terrorism.
The contingency plan came about after the sighting on
Wednesday (June 21) of some 100 Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF)
traversing the peripheries of nearby Kabuntalan, Maguindanao, on their way to
Pigcawayan, North Cotabato, where they attacked and occupied three remote
villages for several hours.
A day-long gun battle ensued between government forces and
BILFF militants following the incident.
Prior to the Pigcawayan attack, Poblacion 9 Barangay
Chairman Jonas Mohamad here reported to local authorities about the presence of
the BIFF rebels aboard 10 motorized bancas traversing Kakar River that
separates his village and Kabuntalan town.
“The rebels were proceeding to Pigcawayan town using the
river when sighted by my co-villagers,” Mohamad said.
River patrols by government forces were fortified to block
any rebel group that might use the same route in reinforcing or withdrawing
from their Pigcawayan position.
“I would just like to tell Cotabateños not to worry as our
security forces are in place and ready at all times,” Mayor Frances Cynthia
Guiani – Sayadi, concurrent CPOC chair, told newsmen prior to the conduct of
the 2nd quarter CPOC meeting held last June 21.
Apart from the local police force, the city is also
currently secured by the presence of the Army’s Sixth Infantry Division
headquarters in adjacent Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao and its Special Forces
Battalion stationed in the heart of the city.
Recently, the city government has also activated the service
of some 1,000 city village watchmen as force multipliers in defending peace and
order in their respective communities.
The mayor said the contingency plan involves the
participation of the local power firm, the city water district, and the
business sector, among others.
“The contingency plan was devised so that the various
sectors would know what to do in times of trouble,” Sayadi said.
She reiterated in assuring the public that the city has
“sufficient” government forces to parry any future attacks that might be
launched by criminal elements here.
“Be vigilant but remain calm,” the mayor said. (EOF/PNA-COTABATO / MINDANAON EXPOSE’)
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