Members of the Regional Peace and Order Council of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), consisting of the officials from the local government units, police, military, and other law enforcement agencies, convened in Sulu on Saturday, June 10, 2023. The purpose of the assembly was to deliberate and address issues and concerns that affect the sustainability of peace and development in the region and to further strengthen the linkages among the members of the body.
BARMM Chief Minister and RPOC Chairman Ahod Ebrahim initiated the conduct of the meeting to integrate efforts among the different local government units and stakeholders and jointly come up with resolutions to eliminate the remaining threats in the autonomous region.
Lt. Gen. Roy Galido said that the conduct of the first-ever RPOC summit in Sulu exemplifies the improvement in the security situation of the beautiful island province. He attributed the transformation of the province’s image to the collaborative efforts of the military, other law enforcement agencies, the local government units, and stakeholders
“Rest assured that your armed forces remain steadfast in performing our mandates as we continue to adopt the whole-of-nation approach for peace and progress here in Mindanao. Let us continue to work hand in hand and set aside our personal/group interests to sustain the peace in Sulu and the entire Bangsamoro region. Good governance coupled with intensified security operations will disallow the malefactors from creating havoc in peaceful communities. It is high time that we give attention to the forgotten frontier of our country which was once the center of governance in Southeast Asia before the colonial rule of European Kingdoms,” Lt. Gen. Galido added.
The Police Regional Office-BARMM also provided an assessment of the peace and order situation, and the Philippine Drug and Enforcement Agency discussed the illegal drug situation in the region.
The meeting also served as a venue for the discussion on the reconstitution of the council. The Provincial Peace and Order Councils of Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi, and the City POCs of Marawi, Lamitan, and Cotabato also presented their respective sub-POC updates.
Held at Maimbung Gymnasium, Maimbung, Sulu, the RPOC meeting was attended by the members of the RPOC-BARMM and high-ranking officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, and other government agencies and organizations.
The momentous activity was also graced by the presence of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity, Secretary Carlito Galvez, Jr.
Utilizing its air, naval, and land assets, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, through the Western Mindanao Command, provided transportation and security assistance during the conduct of the activity.
