DSA hosts joint Peace and Security Coordinating Council

SECURITY --- Maguindanao Police Provincial Director Senior Superintendent Agustin J. Tello (2nd from right) led the Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Council meeting of chiefs of police from various towns in Maguindanao. Also in attendance were 603rd Brigade Commander Col. Jesus Sarsagat (2nd from left) and Datu Saudi Ampatuan Mayor Bai AnidaDimaukom (3rd from left). (ANNE ACOSTA - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

DATU SAUDI AMPATUAN (DSA), Maguindanao ---- This municipal government hosted the Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Council (JPSCC) meeting spearheaded by the Maguindanao Provincial Police Office last September 28.

Senior Superintendent Agustin J. Tello, Maguindanao police provincial director, said the meeting gathered the 10 police chiefs from the towns of Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Datu Unsay, Datu Hoffer, Datu Piang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Shariff Aguak, Datu Salibo, Mamasapano, Sultan Sa Barongis, and Rajah Buayan.

“The purpose of the activity is for us to be updated on the current peace and security situations in these municipalities,” Tello said.

For the 3rd Quarter, the peace and order situation in Datu Hoffer municipality has been relatively peaceful having received no threat from the lawless groups.  However, security personnel have been deployed to the different barangays with the members of Barangay Peace Action Team in coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines  (AFP) to monitor the situation in the area.

As for Datu Piang, due to the presence of AFP troops in Barangays Montay, Balong, and Dado, there have been no reports on the presence of armed groups and other lawless elements in the area of responsibility, particularly within the barangays along the river. However, the shooting to death of Barangay chairman Kadatuan Masukat of ontay brought horrible fear to other barangay officials.

In Datu Unsay, the peace and order situation within the area is the primary concern of every stakeholder residing and doing business here. This town is home to or beleaguered with the presence of armed groups such as the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), and ISIS- inspired group.

As of the moment, the MILF and MNLF adhere to the existing peace agreement  with the government of the Republic of the Philippines.

As a whole, the threat to peace and order condition remains due to the presence of  the BIFF  and ISIS-inspired group.

In spite of the extra efforts exerted by the PNP, AFP, and other line-agencies, atrocities have been disturbing the peace in the area. The recent incident was the harassment by undetermined number of lawless elements against police station and 21st Mechanized Company of the Philippine Army at Barangay Meta of Datu Unsay which resulted to wounding of one policeman.

The armed group, however, has no capability of disrupting the entire peace and order in the area as government forces are still on top of the situation and executing precautionary measures to prevent any eventuality and avert terror plans of the enemies.

Mamasapano marked a low crime volume and only listed some cases of rido.

In Shariff Aguak, the peace and order is still affected by the political grudge of the present and previous administration.  On illegal drugs, they cannot discount the presence of drug users, although the source of the illegal drugs comes from a nearby municipality based on the statement of an arrested drug suspect.

Other municipalities remain relatively peaceful. In Datu Saudi Ampatuan, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao  declared last September 22 its four barangays as “drug-cleared.” These are Gawang, Dapiawan, Elian, and Salbu. (GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE ACOSTA - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)