North Cotabato official urges local execs to lead campaign vs. terrorism

KIDAPAWAN
CITY -- A provincial board member here has asked local
government chief executives to spearhead and be active in the campaign
against terrorism and save its people from harm or even death.North
Cotabato and Kidapawan City have been bracing for bombings as
diversionary tactics by outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters
(BIFF) now the subject of massive law enforcement operations in adjacent
Maguindanao province.Its leaders have publicly announced it will
carry out bombings in North Cotabato and even threatened to attack the
provincial capitol, the seat of power of the provincial government.Board
Member Joemar Cerebo has submitted a resolution in the provincial
council urging the provincial government and the town executives to lead
in the campaign against lawlessness and terrorism in the face of
threats from outlawed groups.Three bombing attempts were foiled
in North Cotabato since the military and police launched law enforcement
operations against the BIFF in Maguindanao marshland.Speaking to
DXND Radyo Bida, Cerebo stressed that local mayors should lead the
implementation of checkpoints day in day out, activate the municipal to
barangay level police force multipliers and Barangay Peacekeeping Action
Team to help thwart attempts to destabilize the province.Cerebo chairs the Sangguniang Panglungsod Committee on Laws.He said it is the obligation of the government to protect its people from terrorism or groups fighting the government.He
also stressed that this obligation was contained in Republic Act 10121
or the Local Disaster Risk Reducation and Management Act.His resolution was unanimously supported and approved by the provincial board during its recent session here.In explaining his resolution, Cerebo explained that local leaders should act first before reacting to a calamity like terrorism.Cerebo
believed that a pro-active local official will encourage the citizens
to be more vigilant and save lives and properties.