Video File 1:Mayor Regencia convene Iligan POC meeting

Iligan City (March 10, 2015) - Iligan City Mayor Celso G. Regencia convened the Iligan City Peace and Order Council this day, attended by the Barangay Chairmen, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Military from the 2nd Mechanized "Magbalantay" Brigade and 4th Mechanized IB, headed by Col. Gilbert Gapay and Lt. Col. Anthon Abrina, respectively. Also in attendance was PSSUPT Benas, Iligan City Police Director, DILG Provincial Director Rana,  Iligan City Vice Mayor Rudy Marzo and Iligan City Councilor Abragan, chairman, committee on peace and order. Prosecutors and Judges also attended the meeting. Mayor Regencia pushed for the approval of the Intelligence Fund (IF) amounting to 9 Million pesos and confidential fund of 9 Million pesos for the year 2015. A total of 18 Million pesos fund to be taken from the 30 percent peace and order budget, to address criminalities and security threats in Iligan City. The POC resolution is subject for adoption by the Sangguniang Panglunsod of Iligan City with corresponding peace and order plan of the city's chief executive and chairman of the peace and order council.

At left, PSSUPT Orlando Benas

In his report, PSSUPT Orlando A. Benas, City Director, Iligan City Police Office, presented about the criminality in Iligan City. He made mention about the operational accomplishments of the PNP for january versus February 2015. There are five classification of offenses, the campaign against illegal drug with 2 cases for january against 9 cases of February; anti-carnapping with case on january against none in February; campaign against loose firearms with 4 cases in January against 2 cases in February;  campaign against wanted person with 10 in Jabuary against 24 in February; cattle rustling have 1 case in January against none in February. During the interview, Benas said that his police ranks have different emotional feelings and beliefs on the Mamasapano incident. he said some police personnel under his command especially those trained in the PNP Special Action Force (SAF) cut their hair into skinned head, others will offer prayers of sympathy. Benas said that they did not shown any violent reaction regarding the issue and issued statements against their high ranking officials. He cited a historical background about the First Lieutenant Vicente Alagar, now named camp Algar before his name, said that an ambush happened in 1933 that killed Alagar by the moro bandits in Jolo. From that time until 2015, the incident happened again. He said the Bangsamoro Basic law (BBL) must be given a chance and become a law hoping that peace must prevail in Mindanao.

At left, Lt. Col. Anthon Abrina

Participants wandering the pp presentation

In another report, Lt. Col Anthon Abrina, Battalion Commander, 4th Mechanized Infantry Battalion, based in Camp Pintoy, Suarez, Iligan City, made a report of the security situation in Iligan City. Abrina presented the armed groups present in Iligan City, the Communist party of the Philippines (CPP)- New peoples army (NPA) - National democratic front (NDF) in short CNN, is present in the boundary of Iligan-Bukidnon area. He said that CNN is planning to regain their lost ground not only in the mountains for their armed group but also in the urban areas where supports (financial and cadres) are coming from. Abrina also presented the sighting of 103 based command, Northwestern Mindanao Front (NWMF), Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) with 50 fully armed men, sighted at Barangay Lantud, Talakag, Bukidnon, near the boundary of Limunsudan, Rogongon, Iligan City. Abrina also said that they have conducted "Bayanihan" activity in Sta. Felomina, and this is a continuing activity on with the communities within their area of responsibility (AOR) by conducting Medical mission, drug symposium for the youth, and other activities in partnership with the concerned barangays and the local government of Iligan city.

Abrina presented his concerns and recommendations to the POC to have an integrated communication system, establishment of joint AFP-PNP operation center, Integration of city/barangay communication network to the AFP-PNP operation center and establishment of communication backbone at provincial level, provisions of communication equipment to all detachments/ command posts (CPs) and Barangay network, Strengthening of collaboration between the AFP-PNP, LGUs, CSOs and other stakeholders.

Iligan City Vice Mayor Rudy Marzo made an inquiry together with City councilor Abragan, if the military can disband the presence of armed groups in Limunsudan, Rogongon this city and it is really a threat to Iligan City. Lt. Col. Abrina said that they will make a letter to the ceasefire committee on the cessation of hostilities (CCCH) to abandon the said area bacause Limunsudan-Bukidnon is not recognized as one of the MILF controlled areas and it is a violation of the GPH-MILF peace agreement.

Second from right, Col. Gilbert I. Gapay

Col. Gilbert I. Gapay, Brigade commander, 2nd Mechanized "Magbalantay" Brigade, Philippine Army, in his statement said that they are monitoring the economic center in their area of responsibility, including Iligan city,  to do away from harm from terrorism such as the Abu Sayyaf group and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF). Gapay urged the populace to be vigilant on any suspicious acts of any persons must be reported to the proper authorities, the police and military.

The POC meeting was ended by signing a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the AFP and PNP on the revitalization of the joint peace and order security coordinating center in Iligan city. This will define the roles and responsibilities of the two government agencies when it comes to peace and order and security matters in Iligan City for proper coordination and avoid the repetition of the Mamasapano controversy coordination issue between the AFP and PNP.