Authorities ready to secure Compostela Valley

DAVAO CITY, May 07 (PIA):   Military and police authorities in Compostela Valley Province  assured readiness to handle security matters during the May 13 elections.

            

The entire province of  Compostela Valley is placed under of concern due to presence of “lawless elements” particularly New People’s Army (NPA) but government authority officials said that necessary preparation had been in placed to counter and preempt possible disruption of a peaceful election.

            

Guesting in the Kapihan sa Compostela Valley held at the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) XI regional office in Davao City, 1001st Infantry brigade commander Col.  Angelito de Leon said “more than a thousand” military personnel will be deployed in strategic areas where threats are present especially in far-flung and peripheral areas.

           

 The 1001st Infantry Brigade which covers the entire of Compostela Valley except Laak, will also be requiring the services of all Compostela Valley assigned Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Units (CAFGUs) members  and that none of them is allowed to go on leave.

            

The military will also be enlisting the community-based services of  the Peace and Development Program (PDOP) volunteers and barangay defense system  as “force multipliers.”

However,  De Leon still would like community folks to help government authorities keep an eye on lawless elements as the military believes that “community engagement”  also serves as deterrent to lawless activities.

            

Meanwhile,  Compostela Valley police provincial director PS Supt. Camilo Pancratius Cascolan in the  same forum said the Philippine National Police of Compostela Valley sets up a Joint Security Control Centers (JSCC) together with the military under which are five Area Management Committees (AMC) that will cover the 11 towns of Compostela Valley.

            

Cascolan also said they had established a contact  and communication system with all units on the ground even in areas where signals of telephone communication companies are absent.

            

On the other hand,  Cascolan said the police is bound to give security assistance on request of government officials and even of anyone asking police services.

            

Together with  the military, police authorities in Compostela Valley has identified areas of security risks and that they are making information of such risks to political candidates who would want to wage campaign in those areas. (PIA XI/ jmda)