MOA signing for Peace highlights PPOC meeting

MOA signing for Peace highlights PPOC meeting

By PHIL PA-ALAN

TUBOD, Lanao del Norte (Feb. 11, 2015) – Signing a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for Peace was the major highlight of the Provincial  Peace and Order Council of Lanao del Norte convened Wednesday (Feb. 11), to promote peace and security in the province. The PPOC  meeting, the first to be held for the year 2015, was  chaired by Provincial Governor Mohammad Khalid Q. Dimaporo , and  attended by other provincial officials, municipal officials, the military, the police, government agency officials, and non-government and civil society  organization. The PPOC meeting tackled the reading/consideration and approval of the previous minutes of the PPOC meeting held on September 2, last year, updates on peace and order from the military and police perspective, and PAMANA projects from the DILG, and  important other matters.

Dispensing with the reading of the minutes, the PPOC approved the minutes of the prior PPOC meeting.

Col. Gilbert I. Gapay, commanding officer of the 2^nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade based at Maria Cristina, Iligan City made a power point presentation of the current peace and order situation in the province.  He said the situation in the province is generally peaceful but the situation is highly volatile due to issues on Mamasapano incident and the delayed passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

Col Gapay said that the 2^nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade has four (4) battalions covering its area of operation which includes Iligan City and the entire province of  Lanao del Norte.  He said the ceasefire agreement is still in effect and the military conducts support operations to address internal security.

Col. Gapay said that two (2) MILF commanders from Lanao del Norte are allegedly involved in the Mamasapano bloody incident but this has yet to be verified, validated and investigated.  He said the MILF is on the watch and see posture on the offshoot of the bloody clash in Mamasapano.  He said the peace process is holding but the situation remains volatile.  He said the BIFF continues to oppose the passage of the BBL which is now pending in Congress for further deliberation.

Col Gapay said the response of the military in the face of these situation include the following:  maintain deterrent posture; maintain open lines of communication between the military and the MILF, the CCCH and the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group; continue public information and awareness through the media to correct misinformation; intensified monitoring of MILF actions; and put the contingency plan in place.

Col Gapay also said that the military is supporting the development of a culture of peace by supporting the program “From Arms to Farms” project, Lakbay-aral for farmers, continued support to  confidence building measures, cultural sensitivity lectures for the troops, humanitarian assistance and disaster preparedness in communities and youth anti-drugs symposium.

Col. Gapay said that the military adopts a more comprehensive approach to peace and security concerns.  He said the military helps in enhancing the community Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) capability, strengthen Provincial Crisis management Committee,  support peace advocates, enhance public information and awareness, greater social pressure against hostile armed groups, strengthen collaboration  among stakeholders, continued vigilance in safeguarding the peace and security in the community, generate support from government, non-government, and  civil society organizations as well as the international organizations in developing culture of peace, and remain steadfast to our mandate. Col Gapay stressed that  the military is ready for the worst scenario.

On the other hand, Police Senior Superintendent Madid M. Paitao, Provincial Director of the Lanao del Norte Provincial Police Office based at Pigcarangan,Tubod, this province said that the peace and order situation in the province is  relatively peaceful as the police has succeeded in neutralizing armed groups and sustained peace through the implementation of public safety and security plans.  He said  the crime volume in the province has reached 1,216 crimes and  increased the crime clearance efficiency.  He said the increase in crime volume is attributed to realistic recording of crimes, while the increased in clearance efficiency for the past three (3) months is due to close supervision and follow up on cases.

PSSupt. Paitao said the police has arrested two (2) persons,  rescued three (3) victims, and recovered twelve (12) stolen animals.  He said the police has also intensified its campaign against illegal fishing, illegal gambling, wanted persons, and cattle rustlers, among others. PSSupt. Paitao said that the police continues to utilize out modeled equipment and facilities in their fight against criminals in the promotion of peace and security in the communities.

In another development, Engr. Camelo Enrique B. Libot, provincial director of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said that the beneficiaries of the PAMANA Projects in the province include the towns of Tangcal, Kauswagan and Munai.  He said the PAMANA projects involved medical and health centers as well as water project. He said the project of Poona Piagapo was re-aligned. Director Libot also said that there is a need to organize the PPOC to include representative of civil society organizations.

Gov. DImaporo asked the local chief executives of the beneficiary towns to confirm the acceptance of the said projects. Mayor Fatima Tomawis of Tangcal, and Mayor Rommel Arnado of Kauswagan confirmed the acceptance of the PAMANA projects in their respective municipalities, while Mayor Muammar Maquiling of Munai  was not able to confirm the projects as he was represented by his Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator Felix Bandojo.  Gov. Dimaporo asked Mayor Maquiling to confirm the PAMANA projects in his town in the next PPOC meeting. Important matters such as peace, safety  and security of the provincial community were raised by municipal mayors.

Mayor Neshreen Eleanor D. Lantud of Pantao Ragat questioned the installation of checkpoints in the community without signboards or vehicles for proper identification. She said these checkpoints should be installed properly because there are leaders in the province who are having family feuds. She said to avoid untoward incidents, the military and police officers should do something to correct checkpoint manning lapses. Mayor Joselito Miquiabas of Bacolod inquired on the measures adopted by the military and the police to check threats for the safety and security of the provincial community.  He said, “We are not ready for war, but we are ready to receive investors, especially when our project in Pagayawan will push through.” Gov. Dimaporo claimed that some 100 MILF members were fully armed when they entered Tambo, Munai to conduct a meeting.  He said the MILF members should not be allowed to enter community centers in Lanao del Norte when armed, but they may do so when they are unarmed.

In answer to the reported meeting of the MILF members who were said to be fully armed, Lt. Col. Leomar Jose Doctolero, Battalion commander of the 15^th Infantry Battalion based in Kauswagan, clarified that  no MILF  entered Tambo, Munai to conduct meeting.  He said the MILF members held their meeting somewhere in Tamparan, Munai, which is part of the Camp Bilal area.  He said we have our limitations. We  cannot  attack them because the ceasefire agreement in Lanao is in full force and effect.  He said after their assembly the MILF members dispersed and went home.  He said the military  coordinates closely with the MILF through the Ceasefire Committee to maintain peace and prevent the violation of the ceasefire agreement.  He said the military is not sleeping on the post.  He said the military talks about people’s safety upon waking up in the morning and even when the people are already fast asleep.

The Government and the MILF had signed a Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro as a solution to end the Bangsamoro problem in Mindanao.

Asked by the governor if it is alright with him that the MILF will enter Lanao del Norte with firearms, Musa Sanguila said the MILF should abide with the agreement signed between the government and the MILF without directly answering the question with a yes or no.   He said the community is the first line of defense, He said we have to build and re-build relations with Muslims and Christians in the communities.  He said we have strong coordination in the implementation of the ceasefire agreement.

Other municipal mayors and participants  made their comments and observations regarding peace and security.

Mayor Rommel Arnado of Kauswagan said, “Kauswagan is worried. We have to establish contingency plan as we will be protecting the community.  He added, “We will not allow our people to swim again.” He concluded, “We will hold the line and negotiate.” Mayor Rafael C. Rizalda of Maigo said that the civilian communities must be protected.  He said we don’t lke our people to suffer, like what happened in Zamboanga City.  He said the lawless elements will not penetrate the communities without having civilian hostages. He said we have to protect ourselves.

Gov. Dimaporo said the province, the military, the police and other members of the PPOC should move as one pursuing one direction to preserve peace in the province.  e said the MILF should not be allowed to move around the province when they are armed, but they may do so if they are unarmed.

A Memorandum of Agreement to promote peace,   safety and security in the province was signed by Governor Dimaporo, Brigade Commander Gapay and Police Provincial Director Paitao. Gov. Dimaporo adjourned the PPOC meeting after all other matters were taken up and after all participants had been given the opportunity to raise questions, make  comments and observations.

Also present in the PPOC meeting were Provincial Vice Governor Cristy Atay,  provincial board members, local chief executives, military battalion commanders and company commanders, police municipal station commanders,  representatives from national line agencies, and non-government and civil society organizations. With reports by Malyne Gungob.