Assistant Sec. Hamid Ladjakahal has lauded the relationship of the Muslim community and the Philippine National Police in Negros Oriental saying it could be a model for others to follow.
Acting PNP provincial director Sr. Supt. Henry Biñas disclosed Monday evening that ASEC Ladjakahal had visited the province over the weekend and had met with the Muslim community leaders at the Negros Oriental PNP Provincial Office at Camp Fernandez in nearby Sibulan town.
Sr. Supt. Biñas further disclosed that around 20 Muslim leaders, including Imams and Ustads, talked to ASEC Ladjakahal on various concerns, but most especially on the terror threat posed by the Abu Sayyaf Group in the Visayas.
The local Muslim community has been cooperating with the government’s security forces here in the past recent weeks following intelligence reports of Abu Sayyaf coming to the Visayas to carry out attacks at undisclosed places.
When the Inabanga, Bohol clashes between government troops and the Abu Sayyaf bandits erupted two weeks ago, the Muslim community leaders met with the PNP and the Philippine Army to show support and cooperation.
The DILG official was impressed with how the Muslim community cooperates here with the PNP, the military, civilian officials and inter-faith groups that he said he would make it a “model” to be adopted by other areas, Biñas said.
According to Sr. Supt. Biñas, the Muslim community here has reiterated its commitment to help government authorities in their fight against terrorism.
They said Negros Oriental is their “second home” and they feel a sense of belongingness here because there is “no discrimination” against them and are also “given importance”, Biñas added.
Furthermore, Biñas said they stressed that the teaching of Islam is for peace and not violence and extremism, as what the Abu Sayyaf and other Muslim extremist groups are advocating.
Sr. Supt. Biñas announced that there will be a regular monthly meeting of the PNP and the Muslim leaders here to further strengthen ties and cooperation.
Meanwhile, the PNP and the military here have not monitored so far any presence of Balik Islam members, said Biñas.
Balik Islam is a “missionary group” which the government security forces say is where Abu Sayyaf recruits its members.
During a recent security briefing here, Lt. Gen. Oscar Lactao, commander of the Central Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and Chief Supt. Noli Taliño, regional director of the PNP Regional Office 7, told Gov. Roel Degamo to keep a close eye on “suspicious Muslim personalities”, especially those from the Balik Islam movement.
That is why it is important to have good relations with the local Muslim community as they speak the language and would be able to immediately detect the arrival of suspicious individuals here, Binas said. (PNA/JFP)
