Phil. Army gathers Muslim leaders, Dgte officials for briefing on countering violent extremism

From the Philippine Information Agency (Sep 5): Phil. Army gathers Muslim leaders, Dgte officials for briefing on countering violent extremism

The 31st Infantry Division of the Philippine Army in cooperation with Bantay Bayanihan sa Kapayapaan and the Dumaguete City government recently gathered the Muslim leaders and local officials for a briefing about countering violent extremism.

Maj. Gen. Jon Aying, commander of 3ID, explained that due to the Marawi skirmishes and its impact in the Visayas, the briefing-dialogue is one of the steps to achieve peace and security resiliency.

“This is to develop understanding and foster unity among the Christian and Muslim communities to prevent violent and extremist views that destroy the harmonious co-existence of both," he said.

Aying also cited the need to unite the Muslims and Christians at social, economic, and political levels and set aside the tribal and religious differences to understand each other’s culture, practices, values, and beliefs towards attaining lasting peace and development in the country.

Meanwhile, Aying warned the participants to be vigilant as the influx of evacuees to the Visayas will continue due to the Marawi crisis and the Martial Law in Mindanao, and local terrorists might blend with evacuees to spread pockets of terrorism.

He said that retaliation by Sulu-based Abu Sayaff Group against targets in the Visayas is expected after their failed mission in Bohol.

However, he assured that at present, there is no imminent threat of terrorism in the Visayas.

Aying said that an action plan to conduct a series of awareness campaigns with Muslim and Christian communities will be carried out.

http://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1000059