DILG wants unified plan vs terror in Mindanao

Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno called yesterday on local chief executives in Mindanao to draw up a unified plan to fight terrorism.

Speaking at the Mindanao Leaders Forum on Security and Terrorism in Cagayan de Oro City, Puno said governors and mayors must mobilize communities in Mindanao to help law enforcers combat the terrorist threat.

"The fight against terrorism has now become an urgent collective responsibility of all Filipinos," he said.

Puno said barangay tanods and members of civilian volunteer organizations (CVOs) will be deputized as "force multipliers" in the anti-terrorist campaign.

Terrorists have become bolder in their attacks in Mindanao, he added.

Local chief executives in Mindanao have to come up with an overall anti-terrorist plan to be presented to President Arroyo during her visit to the province of Camiguin this afternoon, Puno said.

During the same forum, National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales briefed Mindanao’s local executives on the security situation in the country.

Philippine National Police chief Director General Oscar Calderon reported significant progress in the PNP’s campaign against crime, insurgency and terrorism.

Deputy presidential peace adviser Nabil Tan gave an update on the progress of the peace process with armed rebel groups.

Governors and mayors from various provinces, cities and municipalities in Mindanao led by North Cotabato Gov. Emmanuel Pinol, who chairs the Regional Peace and Order Council for Central Mindanao, and South Cotabato Gov. Daisy Fuentes, Confederation of Mindanao Governors and Mayors president, participated in the two-day security forum.

Puno also asked Mindanao’s local officials to find out how many CVO members would be deputized as "force multipliers" for their respective anti-terrorism efforts; determine resources that could be allocated in the fight against terrorism at the local level; and coordinate with the PNP on the training of CVOs.

The deputization of CVOs is in accordance with Executive Order No. 546, which on top of making the PNP a co-equal partner of the military in fighting insurgency and other security threats, also authorizes the use of barangay tanods as force multipliers in the campaign to wipe out these threats, he added.

Puno said CVO members would have to pass stringent requirements and undergo basic anti-terrorism training before they can be recruited and deputized by the PNP.

All CVO members would have to be issued identification cards and registered with the PNP before being deputized as "force multipliers" in the war against terrorism, he added.