ZAMBOANGA CITY – Members of the Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team (BPATS) from 52 barangays of Talipao, Sulu, have signed a “commitment for peace and order” declaring the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) as persona non grata in their respective villages.
Maj. Gen. William Gonzales, 11th Infantry Division commander, said in a statement that the signing of the commitment highlighted the first ever BPAT general assembly held Friday, March 5, in Barangay Bilaan, Talipao.
Gonzales said that the assembly, attended by some 520 BPAT members, aims to strengthen community-based approaches to safety and security.
Gonzales said that the commitment also indicate that signatories shall empower Madrasahs to institutionalized Islamic values and practices inherently Tausug in character that promotes mutual respect and peaceful coexistence.
It stated in the commitment the BPAT members have signed that they will work hand in hand with other government agencies to pursue initiatives that will strengthen and institutionalize the public safety, security and well-being of the community, according to Gonzales, who is also the Joint Task Force (JTF)-Sulu commander.
He highlighted during the assembly the importance of “bayanihan” especially in facing the threat of terrorism alongside confronting the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
Gonzales, Taipao Mayor Nivocadnezar Tulawi, Lt. Col. Kris Conrad Gutierrez, Sulu Provincial Police officer-in-charge, and Talipao BPAT Commander Najar “Marlboro’ Hajar discussed updates on security situation of the municipality and of the whole province as well.
The BPATs are the implementers of Barangay Peacekeeping operations of the police.
For the case of Talipao, 2nd Special Forces Battalion (2SFBn)’s community organizing skills were able to encourage the barangay chairpersons to formally establish their BPATs. – Nikolai Gonzalo
