NO TO EXTREMISM. Army Colonel Jose Narciso, commander of the Army’s 601st Infantry Brigade, emphasizes that violent extremism should have no place in peaceful communities of the province, during Wednesday's (Jan. 28, 2020) symposium in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao. Officials of Shariff Aguak, led by Mayor Marop Ampatuan, vowed to work closely with the military to prevent violent extremism in the municipality. (Photo courtesy of the Army’s 601IB)
COTABATO CITY – Officials of Shariff Aguak town in Maguindanao pledged Wednesday to work closely with government forces in eradicating extremism and illegal drugs in the area.
Shariff Aguak Mayor Marop Ampatuan vowed to "use all resources" of the local government to prevent the spread of violent extremism in the place and the near environs.
"The LGU of Shariff Aguak will be your partner in eradicating violent extremism and drug-related problems in the 601st Infantry Brigade area of operation,” the mayor said during Wednesday’s military-organized Islamic symposium at the municipal gymnasium.
The symposium was anchored on the theme "Mamamayan Nagkakaisa Laban sa Violent Extremism at Ilegal na Droga Tungo sa Mapayapa at Maunlad na Bayan”.
Ampatuan added that together with the different sectors in the municipality, they will "religiously implement and adhere to the advocacies" of the national government.
Colonel Jose Narciso, the Army's 601st Infantry Brigade commander, welcomed the mayor's statement, saying the safety of every resident of Shariff Aguak and nearby areas is their primary concern.
“Please help so we can help you,” Narciso said, as he urged local residents to alert authorities on recruitment activities by the Islamic State-linked Dawlah Islamiya and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in their communities.
During the symposium, local officials of Barangays Poblacion Mother, Labu-Labu Mother, Satan, and Bagong Upam turned over to Narciso an assortment of firearms they collected in support to the military’s disarmament campaign.
The surrendered firearms included an M16 rifle, five .45-caliber pistols, and a Magnum .357 pistol.
Narciso also lauded military units under the 601st brigade for their active roles in preventing violent extremism in their respective areas of operation.
“Let us all embrace the milestone of peace towards peaceful and progressive Maguindanao,” Narciso said. (PNA)
