Kalinaw News: Security sector, LGU holds TALIPAO Barangay Peace Action Teams General assembly

From Kalinaw News (Mar 5, 2021): Security sector, LGU holds TALIPAO Barangay Peace Action Teams General assembly



Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista Jolo, Sulu –March 05, 2021, Aiming to strengthen community-based approaches to safety and security, Commander of Joint Task Force-Sulu MGen William N Gonzales and Talipao Mayor Nivocadnezar Tulawie graces the first ever Municipality of Talipao Barangay Peace Action Teams (BPATs) general assembly at Brgy Bilaan, Talipao, Sulu.

Around 520 BPATs members from 52 barangays were present during the 1st Talipao BPATs General Assembly. During the event MGen Gonzales, Mayor Tulawie, PNP SULU Overall-in-Charge PLtc Kris Conrad Gutierrez and Talipao BPAT Commander Najar “Marlboro” Hajar discussed updates on security situation of the municipality and of the whole province as well.

MGen Gonzales highlighted the importance of “bayanihan” especially in facing the threat of terrorism alongside confronting the COVID-19 Pandemic. “Kayo ang nagsisilbing tagabantay ng inyong komunidad bilang first line of defense laban sa mga teroristang Abu Sayyaf. Kayo rin ang inaasahan naming katuwang sa pagpapatupad ng health protocols laban sa pandemic,” he addressed the members present.

The BPATs are the implementers of Barangay Peacekeeping operations of the PNP. For the case of Talipao, 2nd Special Forces Battalion (2SFBn)’s community organizing skills were able to encourage the barangay chiefs to formally establish their BPATs. According to 2SFBn Commander Ltc Jooney Businos the total numbers of Talipao BPATs is Eight Hundred Forty Three (843) because of BPAT Commander Marlboro. “Kakaiba yung pagiging aktibo ng mga BPAT dito sa area namin. Ilang beses na silang nakapag-volunteer na samahan ang tropa bilang guide papasok sa mga liblib na lugar. Marami na rin kaming patrols na nakasama namin sila. Many instances din sila mismo sa level nila nagsasagawa ng mga patrols para talagang walang masasamang loob ang magtangka na pumasok sa barangay nila.”

As part of the assembly, attendees signed a ‘Commitment for Peace and Order’ which declares ASG as persona non grata in their own respective areas. It also indicated that signatories shall empower Madrasahs to institutionalized Islamic values and practices inherently Tausug in character that promotes mutual respect and peaceful coexistence. Further, it stated that they will work hand in hand with other government agencies to pursue initiatives that will strengthen and institutionalize the public safety, security and well-being of the community.

Also present during the activity were 11th Infantry Division, Assistant Division Commander BGen Manuel V Sequitin, 1101st Brigade Commander BGen Antonio I Bautista, 1102nd Brigade Commander Col Benjamin Batara Jr, Vice Mayor of Talipao Zulpicar Tulawie and Sangguniang Bayan member Hji Abejar Sahimarri.

[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/security-sector-lgu-holds-talipao-barangay-peace-action-teams-general-assembly/