Muslims to handle police action centers

Salam, an Islamic term for "peace", will be the name of the police action centers that will soon be established here in the Central Visayas region to "undertake close coordination, develop networking and liaison activities with the Muslim communities throughout the country."

This was learned from Regional Police Community Relations Office chief Carmelo Valmoria yesterday who pointed out that the creation of the Salam police action centers is in accordance with a directive President Arroyo had issued.

He said Salam police action centers would see to it that the rights of Muslims would not be violated specially during manhunt operations.

A briefing on the scope of the project was held at the regional police headquarters. The Office of Directorate for Community Relations in Camp Crame spearheaded the activity led by Police Supt. Sahiron Salim.

The briefing was attended by Office of the Muslim Affairs director Hadjan Sakiron and other Muslim leaders along with police stations chiefs from Metro Cebu whose respective jurisdictions is home to Muslim communities.

In Cebu City, Muslim communities are found in barangays Ermita and Mambaling. There is also a number of Muslims in the cities of Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue and Talisay.

Initially it was agreed that Muslim personnel will man the center, but the lack of Muslim manpower prompted police hierarchy to reconsider after the guidelines had been set.