Pagalungan commits to peace initiatives

PERSEVERANCE --- The municipal government of Pagalungan has remained committed to the campaign of the national leadership against against terrorism, criminality, and illegal drugs as it conducted its peace summit last July 18.  At inset is Mayor Salik P. Mamasabulod (left) together with guests: (L-R) 602^nd Brigade commander Brig. Gen. Anolo Samarita, Maguindanao Provincial Police Office Director Senior Superintendent Agustin J. Tello, and PDEA-ARMM Assistant Regional Director Jet Carriño. (GILMHAR A. LAO – MINDANAO EXPOSE’) 

PAGALUNGAN, Maguindanao --- This municipal government is persistent to stop the proliferation of illegal drugs and terroristic threats with the conduct of “LGU Summit against Terrorism and Illegal Drugs” last July 18 at the town’s municipal gymnasium.

Mayor Salik P. Mamasabulod said it has been a long-time commitment of the local government to strengthen security measures for the safety and welfare of its constituents.

“Earlier, I released a policy statement that would reaffirm the commitment of the barangay officials in the government’s fight on the aforementioned. We gathered our barangay officials from the 12 barangays and reiterated their specific tasks,” Mayor Mamasabulod said.

Mamasabulod said he ordered the barangay officials to closely coordinate with the municipal government and authorities regarding peace and security issues.

“I told them to coordinate at all times with our local police and the Armed Forces to ensure the safety of our populace. Our Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams and Barangay Anti-Drug Action Councils are in place,” Mamasabulod said.

“This LGU summit reinforced our endeavour in helping the campaign of the national leadership to combat terrorism and illegal drugs,” he stressed.

During the summit, Department of the Interior and Local Government -Maguindanao Provincial Director Amina T. Dalandag discussed the Role of LGU in Ensuring Peaceful and Secured Communities while Understanding 2017 Martial Law as well as Peaceful and Security Measures was tackled by 7^th Infantry Battalion commander Lt. Col. Ciriaco Lomas-e, Jr.

Further, the Mechanisms and Strategies in Protecting Barangays against Terrorism and Illegal Drugs Activities were discussed by Maguindanao Provincial Police Office Director Senior Superintendent Agustin J. Tello, who recommended to lift the stripping off of police power to the local government of Pagalungan.

“At present, the populace themselves are now aware on the threats of terrorism. As a result, we’ve been receiving bulks of reports from our constituents. It is the result of our sincere campaign. They become more aware and it’s the good thing, crime incidence has lowered,”  Tello said.

In addition, Policies, Parameters and Approaches in Sustaining Drug-Free Communities/Barangays was presented by Assistant Regional Director Jet Carriño of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao while ISLAM as a Region of Peace-Loving People was expounded by Ustadz Abdulgafor Mokalam.

Commitment of Support were given by the municipal and barangay officials as well as different sectors, organizations, and the tri-media. (GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE ACOSTA – MINDANAO EXPOSE’)