Fifty former violent extremists (FVEs) who are all beneficiaries of the Anak na may GInintuang LAyunin upang Hintuan Ang Violent Extremism Ngayon (AGILA HAVEN) program of the provincial government of Maguindanao del Sur received assistance from the government.
The mass awarding of assistance was held at the Provincial Capitol in Buluan Maguindanao del Sur.
It was graced by the presence of Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, Jr.; Western Mindanao Command Chief, Maj. Gen. Steve Crespillo; 6th Infantry Division Commander, Maj. Gen. Alex Rillera; Philippine Army Vice Commander, Brig. Gen. Leodevic Guinid; Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR) Regional Director, Police Brig. Gen. Allan Nobleza; and Police Lt. Col. Ariel Huesca, Officer-In-Charge of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Regional Field Unit 15, and the brigade and battalion commanders of the military units operating in Maguindanao del Sur.
Also in attendance were Maguindanao del Sur Congressman Datu Mohamad Pendatun Paglas, Sr., Maguindanao del Sur Vice-Governor Nathaniel Midtimbang, AGILA HAVEN Focal Person Mr. Roger Dionisio, Provincial Administrator Atty. Cyrus Torreña, and the municipal mayors of Maguindanao del Sur.
Gov. Bai Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu, in her message, said the provincial government dreamed of transforming Maguindanao del Sur into a peaceful and safe place to visit. “We want to uplift the image of the Maguindanao by way of introducing programs and projects to address the security concerns of the province,” Governor Bai Mangundadatu added
Secretary Teodoro commended the provincial government of Maguindanao for the successful implementation of the AGILA HAVEN program.
Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Crespillo expressed his support for the continued implementation of the AGILA HAVEN in the province.
“We have already gained substantial headway in achieving inclusive and sustainable peace which signifies that indeed cooperation and the involvement of everybody is the key to attaining lasting peace and sustainable development here in Mindanao,” Maj. Gen Crespillo announced.
The AGILA HAVEN program is one of the peacebuilding efforts of the provincial government of Maguindanao del Sur to address violent extremism while pushing for lasting peace and progress. The peace map was launched by the Joint Task Force Central and the provincial government in 2020.
