North Cotabato lawmaker urges local leaders to lead campaign vs terrorism

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 11): North Cotabato lawmaker urges local leaders to lead campaign vs terrorism

KIDAPAWAN CITY -- A provincial board member here has asked local government chief executives to spearhead and be active in the campaign against terrorism and save its people from harm or even death.

North Cotabato and Kidapawan City have been bracing for bombings as "diversionary" tactics by outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) now the subject of massive law enforcement operations in adjacent Maguindanao province.

Its leaders have publicly announced it will carry out bombings in North Cotabato and even threatened to attack the provincial capitol, the seat of power of the provincial government.

Board Member Joemar Cerebo has submitted a resolution in the provincial council urging the provincial government and the town executives to lead in the campaign against lawlessness and terrorism in the face of threats from outlawed groups.

Three bombing attempts were foiled in North Cotabato since the military and police launched law enforcement operations against the BIFF in Maguindanao marshland.

Speaking to DXND Radyo Bida, Cerebo stressed that local mayors should lead the implementation of checkpoints day in day out, activate the municipal to barangay level police force multipliers and Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team to help thwart attempts to destabilize the province.

Cerebo chairs the Sangguniang Panglungsod Committee on Laws.

He said it is the obligation of the government to protect its people from terrorism or groups fighting the government.

He also stressed that this obligation was contained in Republic Act 10121 or the Local Disaster Risk Reducation and Management Act.

His resolution was unanimously supported and approved by the provincial board during its recent session here.

In explaining his resolution, Cerebo explained that local leaders should act first before reacting to a calamity like terrorism.

Cerebo believed that a pro-active local official will encourage the citizens to be more vigilant and save lives and properties.

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