BASILAN – Aimed at gathering evidence-based data and information on how to improve existing mechanisms on rido settlement in Basilan, the Ministry of Public Order and Safety (MPOS) spearheaded a focus group discussion (FGD) on Nov. 22 in Isabela City.
The FGD also targeted to formulate strategies in addressing the emerging causes of rido in the region, specially those that are election related.
It was participated by representatives from the Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Basilan Ulama Supreme Council (BUSC), Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).
Members of the Parliament Abdul Muhmin Mujahid and Ustadz Faiz Alaudin were also present at the activity.
During the discussion, MILF- Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) member Haji Samad Ahuddin shared their efforts and struggles in resolving rido in the province.
“Kami po, after natin magkaroon ng BARMM ay nagpa-participate na rin po kami sa mga rido settlement dahil kami kami rin po ang nahihirapang mga taga rito. And base sa aming experiences, ang nakikita po namin dito, dapat magkaroon po tayo ng grupo intended duly for rido settlement,” Ahuddin said.
“Kasi po walang gustong humawak nito lalo na kung malalaking problema, related to high valued targets ang mga involved. So dapat po talaga meron tayong grupo para ditto,” he added.
The FGD resulted to the creation of the Basilan Inter-Agency Task Force for Pagbanta Settement.
PTCOL Dennies Gimena pledged the PNP’s full support and cooperation for the task force.
“Ang pagkakabuo nitong ating grupo ay aming sinusuportahan ng buong puso at makakaasa kayong kami ay laging nandito para sa ano mang ikabubuti ng ating lalawigan,” PTCOL Gimena said.
“Malaking tulong din ang grupo na ito sa pagpalawak ng aming programa na wala nang sino mang civilian ang hahawak pa ng baril. Kami sa PNP at alam ko pati ng ating kasundalohan ay nangangakong andito lang kami para narin sa ating kapayapaan sa Basilan,” he said.
MPOS Director General Atty Al-Rashid Balt, on the other hand, expressed his gratitude to the participants for the creation of the task force that will handle rido settlement in the province.
“The impact of your presence as one of the lead personnel to handle the settlement ay napakalaking bagay na. Ang presensya ng ating kapulisan at kasundalohan ay sobrang napakalakas ng impact pagdating sa ground. Kaya kami sa MPOS ay nangangako ding tutulong sa ano mang paaran na pwede kami makatulong para sa ating public order and safety,” Atty. Balt said. (Bangsamoro Information Office)
