THE involvement of the community is vital to the government’s fight against terrorism and insurgency.
Major General Jon Aying, commander of 3rd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, met with leaders of civil society organizations Monday, July 3, in Negros Occidental at the Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City to reiterate their role in nation building.
Captain Eduardo Precioso, public information officer of the Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade based in Murcia town, said Aying wanted more community involvement in the campaign against terrorism, insurgency, and poverty alleviation.
He added that the local governments and the law enforcers need the community in addressing the continuing threat on terrorism, insurgency, and illegal drugs.
Precioso said they want to strengthen their communication lines with the community, and to do that, they have to understand their role in the government’s anti-criminality campaign.
The army will pattern the “system” from the Bohol model, wherein residents immediately reported to the authorities the sightings of Abu Sayyaf Group, which was quickly stopped by responding authorities.
Precioso said that leaders of civil society groups have signified their support to the authorities and the local governments in thwarting possible terror attacks.
Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator Maria Lina Sanogal said the community can help in the information advocacy as she reiterated that the focus of the Capitol’s anti-terrorism task force is to strengthen communication lines to prevent terror attacks.
Task Force Buglas, chaired by Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr., is finalizing its action plans to address terrorism threats in the province.
Sanogal, who is the task force executive director, said community involvement is important because they are the first line of defense.
She said one of the targets of the task force is to educate the community of their role and to strengthen the communication mobility for prompt reporting.