Conversation on Local Security gathered members from various sectors

The Zamboanga Peace and Security Forum (ZPSF) a group of civil society organizations working closely with the security sector for issues relating to peace and security in the city and its neighboring island provinces has became a common ground for these two groups.

During the April 19 meeting entitled “Conversation on local Security” held in a hotel in the city, ZPSF together with the security sector shared information on peace and security issues circulating around the region. The group has roughly 60 members coming from the academe, religious, women, youth, civil society organization, and indigenous peoples (IPs).

In the said meeting, the peace conscious audience received a fresh updates on the current peace and order situations in the region coming from the officials of the military and police.

Fr. Angel C. Calvo, CMF the convener of the group saw this occasion as an opportunity to discuss the different issues that need to be revised. “So we will have a series of lectures, presentations today and with us the representatives from the security sector…I hope the two most important issues, the peace and security and our commitment for peace will be tackled,” he said during the opening remarks.

The whole day activity was centered on the accomplished and the next move of the security sector on the fight against the lawlessness groups especially the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and the kidnap for ransom group (KRG) operating in the nearby provinces.

Major Eugene Ramon the Deputy Acus Intel of the Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) briefed the audience on the different accomplishment of the headquarters in the neutralization on the enemy of the state under their area of responsibility. While Colonel Lionel M. Nicolas, commander of the Task Force Zamboanga (TFZ) presented the different security measures that they are implementing in the city to prevent any untoward incidents to happen.

While PSupt Ferjen Torred, deputy regional director of the intelligence unit of the Police Regional Office 9 (PRO-9) and PSupt Roberto Marcos from the City Police Office also provided the updates respectively. The issue on security updates in light of justice and the Human Security Act of 2007 was also highlighted during the activity. Attorney Peter L. Medalle, the regional prosecutor of the region explained in details about the content of the Human Security Act of 2007 in line with the massive surrenders of the ASG members which will possibly receive assistance from the national government.

The activity capped with a breakaway workshop which composed of the following: Ulama, CSOs, Academe, women, and IPs which they had brainstorm some “doable actions” that can be carried by them in response to the peace and security matters. (Albert F. Arcilla/ZABIDA)

Recent Comments

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.