DILG holds 2-day violent extremism seminar in Zamboanga

ZAMBOANGA CITY--The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is conducting a two-day seminar on the prevention of violent extremism for barangay officials in this city.

The participants of the seminar on Wednesday and Thursday are the chairpersons of 14 barangays--13 from this city and one from Zamboanga Sibugay--identified as among those vulnerable to violent extremism in this region.

DILG Regional Director Paisal Abutazil said the barangays vulnerable to violent extremism were earlier identified by the police and military authorities.

“This is not only the role of PNP (Philippine National Police), AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines), and national and local officials. Everyone must be involved because we already experienced Zamboanga and Marawi siege, there must be lessons learned,” Abutazil said.

Abutazil said the participants of the two-day seminar also included police and military officials.  

Seminar topics included the following: strengthening Filipino values; cultural sensitivity in the Filipino setting; violent extremism leading to terrorism; vulnerable sectors to radicalization and violent extremism; and community anti-terrorism awareness.    

One of the participants, Belman Malandi, the Sta. Catalina barangay chairperson, said they continue to monitor activities in their village that may potentially lead to radicalization and extremism.     

Malandi said the barangay officials and village watchmen cannot do it alone as they need the support of the residents. (PNA)