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BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
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Saturday, February 11, 2017
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Senior Superintendent Remus Zacharias Canieso (middle ground), Iloilo City Police Office director, and Iloilo United Muslims Community, Inc. president Imam Umar Madrigal sign a covenant against terrorism on Friday, Feb. 10. JOSELITO VILLASIS/PN
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ILOILO City – Police and the oldest Muslim congregation here vowed to work hand in hand in fighting terrorism.
The Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) and the Iloilo United Muslims Community, Inc. (IUMCI) signed an antiterrorism covenant yesterday.
“Terrorists have no place in Iloilo,” declared Senior Superintendent Remus Zacharias Canieso, city police director.
The ICPO came up with the covenant in light of incidents in other parts of the country attributed to terrorism.
“Let us give peace a chance. “We don’t want these things to happen in Iloilo. We are peace-loving people,” Canieso said, adding, “Walang pinipili ang shrapnel, ang improvised explosive devices, lahat tayo apektado.”
He said the police involved the Muslim community because “we believe they are instrumental in our campaign against terrorism.”
Canieso said their partnership will involve sharing of vital intelligence information.
“We can take a look at and validate the (intelligence) information for the safety of everyone,” said the police official.
Representatives from the Philippine Army, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), the Liga ng mga Barangay, and other Muslim groups also signed the covenant.
“It is high time to end the long and troublesome effect of terrorism. It is best to confront and prevent the proliferation of terrorism down to the smallest unit in society which is the barangay,” read part of the covenant.
“In this premise, we hereby jointly commit ourselves to expedite our efforts and continued support to fight terrorism,” it added. “We commit ourselves to maintain our support in the fight against terrorism and other forms of lawlessness and to keep Iloilo City peaceful, orderly and livable.”
The signing was held at the Iloilo Pioneer Masjid, a Muslim community worship center, in Barangay Magdalo, La Paz district.
Joining Canieso were IUMCI president Imam Umar Madrigal; Imams Nasser Mersederio of the Jumiato Moalafate Kolobohan, Inc. and Abdul Salam Umpara of the San Pedro Muslim Community; San Isidro Muslim Community chairman Khalid Barodi;
Lieutenant Colonel Vener Morga, commander of the Army’s 82nd Infantry Battalion; PDEA regional director Gil Pabilona; and Liga – Iloilo City president Reyland Hervias, among others.
Madrigal, who had been living here for more than five decades, urged his fellow Muslims to cooperate and be vigilant. “If you see something strange, you have to report it to the authorities,” he said.
Barodi urged their members to support law enforcers. “This is for the good of our families and the city of Iloilo,” he said.
He had been a resident for more than 20 years.
“This is where I met my wife, had a child and built a house,” said Baroti. “Iloilo is different. The people are very friendly. It is more peaceful than other areas in the country.”
He added: “Let us help the authorities fight those who will disturb peace and order. Let us prevent criminals from coming here.”/PN
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