Task Force Davao strengthens ties with Muslim community

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 28): Task Force Davao strengthens ties with Muslim community

Task Force Davao (TFD) has convened the United Muslim Council for Peace and Development (UMCPD) in Davao to strengthen partnership and collaboration with the Muslim community amid unverified reports that some Muslim Filipinos left for the Middle East to train with the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

Although the reports are still being verified by the military, TFD Commander Col. Macairog Alberto, who presided over the meeting, said they are also gathering information if there are Filipinos who trained with ISIS.

Alberto met the UMCPD Officers headed by its president Datu Mohammad Buisan with Imams and deputy mayors and representatives of the 6 Muslim tribes in the city, to strengthen ties in line with the TFD’s mission to deter, prevent and defeat terror groups in its area of responsibility.

According to Macairog, the task force will continue to protect the people of Davao city and maintain the peace and support the progress and development in the area.

In the meeting, Imam Mohammad Pasigan assured that the Muslim community will continue to support the efforts of Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and TF Davao in maintaining the peace in their communities.

Pasigan said they will report any information on Islamic extremism activities not only as a collaborative effort with the city leadership and TFD but more on the security of the city.

Macairog said the continued collaboration of TFD, the elders and Islamic leaders are done through consultations, dialogue and visit to the communities.

He said the activities are proactive measures to counter terrorism and encourage communities to reject terrorism.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=677618