North Cotabato security threats discussed in peace and order council meeting

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 13): North Cotabato security threats discussed in peace and order council meeting

Police and military authorities are focusing their crime prevention campaign on the threats posed by the New People's Army, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, drug syndicates and robbers of motorcycles.

Senior Inspector Ramel Hojilla, spokersperson of the North Cotabato police provincial office, admitted Friday that such groups continue to pose security threat in North Cotabato.

The issue on crimes was discussed during the North Cotabato Peace and Order Council meeting held at the provincial capitol here Wednesday.

Hojilla said Kidapawan City remained to have the highest number of crime incidents followed by the towns of Midsayap, Kabacan and Makilala.

Kidapawan City ranked No. 1 in robbery cases with 21 cases since January followed by Makilala and Kabacan with nine cases each.

The Kidapawan City police office also recorded 51 cases of robbery, Kabacan with 24 cases came in second and Midsayap with 14 came in third.

On motorcycle theft, Midsayap had nine reported cases, eight in Kabacan and seven in Kidapawan City.

The North Cotabato police also recorded cattle rustling cases in Kidapawan City and in the towns of Tulunan and Makilala.

On crime against life, Kidapawan City and Kabacan had eight incidents of shooting while Midsayap had four shooting incidents.

While Kidapawan City, North Cotabato’s capital, had most number of crime incidents, it also ranked first in arrests made.

According to Hojilla, at least 11 most wanted persons were arrested, followed by Midsayap with five and Makilala with four.

On the campaign against loose firearms, Kidapawan City reported four persons with unlicensed guns and unauthorized carrying of weapons were arrested thre in Aleosan, two each in the towns of Libungan, Midsayap, Arakan and Kabacan.

Hojilla said of 16 persons arrested for gun possession, seven have been charged in court while others were freed for presenting licensed and permit to carry firearms.

Two major incidents blamed by police to the communist guerillas and a long standing land dispute were among the focus of attention of the province’s security officials.

On May 20, police in President Roxas, North Cotabato foiled an attempt by communist rebels to over-run the police station.

Policemen, led by Senior Inspector Bernabe Rubio, traded shots with attacking rebels which resulted in the death of three guerillas on the spot, including an NPA commander.

The NPAs also conducted harassment in other towns like Arakan, Matalam, Tulunan and Makilala, including bombing attempts on Army positions.

Senior Supt. Danilo Perlata, North Cotabato police director, told PPOC chair North Cotabato Gov. Emmulou Mendoza, that aside from NPAs and BIFF, the land conflict in Sitio Nazareth, Barangay Amas, Kidapawan City remained a problem to be dealt with utmost care.

At least a dozen civilians from both sides claiming ownership of a government farm lot have been killed. Peralta said a ceasefire is in place right now in the village but civilians are yet to return home.

The armed conflict in Sitio Nazareth had already displaced about 400 individuals since early this week.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=653118