Pagalungan nets low crime volume

COMMITMENT --- Pagalungan Mayor Salik P. Mamasabulod (inset, 2^nd from left) gathered last November 9 the members of the Municipal Peace and Order Council to gather inputs for the  crafting of  a viable design to further strengthen security measures and contain violent extremism. (ANNE ACOSTA – MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

PAGALUNGAN, Maguindanao --- The local government unit of this town held its Municipal Peace and Order Council (MPOC) last November 9 at the Sangguniang Bayan Session Hall to assess the community’s security situation and to step up the drive against criminalities in a bid to sustain its low crime volume.

Mayor Salik P. Mamasabulod led the meeting with the presence of municipal and barangay officials together with other stakeholders.

Also among the attendees were Capt. Bahnarin Camsa of the 7th Infantry Battalion, SPO4 Michael Pigcaulan who represented the chief of police, and representatives from the Municipal Health Office, Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office, and Department of Education.

“We are happy to announce that our town listed a low crime volume. At present, we are also strengthening our campaign against violent extremism and illegal drugs,” Mayor Mamasabulod said.

SPO4 Pigcaulan updated the council members on the prevailing peace and order situation while Capt. Camsa briefed them on the security status in the area of responsibility.

Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer (MDRRMO) Benjamin S. Alip presented the DRR initiatives of the local government as Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator Engr. Jose Larry Mendoza rendered an update on the Municipal Development Initiatives, among other presenters.

Municipal Local Government Operations Officer Michael Laguilay revealed that all employees of the municipal government have turned out to be negative in illegal drugs.“We are happy with the turn-out and soon our barangays will be declared drug- cleared.”

In an interview, Capt. Camsa said that most barangays in the town are generally peaceful.“We are serious in our fight against violent extremism. We are conducting series of symposia to properly educate the public.”

The role of education in countering extremism, he said, is reflective of terrorism prevention.

“Proper education plays a critical role in helping our people distance themselves from extremism through the conduct of symposia, seminars, awareness campaign, and dialogues,” Capt. Camsa said.(GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE ACOSTAMINDANAO EXPOSE’)