The United Muslim Council for Peace and Development (UMCPD) affirmed its support to the city government by signing the Manifesto of Support to the Culture of Security – a Davao City government campaign to raise security awareness to counter threats of terrorism.
The signing took place at the Task Force Davao headquarters in Sta. Ana Wharf on September 1, a day before the fifth anniversary of the Roxas Night Market bombing that claimed the lives of 14 persons and injured 74 individuals in an IED explosion.
In his remarks, TF Davao commander Colonel Darren Comia acknowledged the participation of the Muslim religious leaders, deputy mayors representing the six Moro tribes in the city, the Davao City Police Office (DCPO), and other sectors.
Comia recalled that since 1981 there were a total of eight bombing incidents that occurred in the city. To prevent future atrocities and to keep Davao City safe and secured, authorities initiated the Culture of Security to earn the community’s cooperation in their anti-terror campaign.
“Ang seguridad dili lamang trabaho sa military o pulisya. Ang seguridad sa tibuk-an atimanonon sa tanan buot pasabot, concern nato tanan (Security is not only the sole responsibility of the military and police but it is also everybody’s concern),” Comia said.
The Culture of Security encourages the public to volunteer themselves for inspection and help in the implementation of security measures in the city and reporting of all suspicious persons and activity in the community. All pieces of information are important and should be reported to the security sector.
It also aims to solicit public cooperation in the awareness campaign by reminding their friends and family of all security regulations within Davao City. The public must also take part in the implementation of the Culture of Security within their workplace, school, purok, or subdivision and be an active part of the community defense system.
The TF Davao chief further thanked the Muslim brothers for their active support in the government’s effort to battle terrorism and to protect the safety and security of Dabawenyos. He also encouraged them to develop their activities in their communities to educate the people about the security campaign.
“Munaog kita sa community level. Maningakmot ta nga makahimo ug lakang aron makiglambigit sa atong communidad pinaagi sa community support program (Let’s go down to the community level. Let’s strive to create plans to engage the people in our community through the community support program),” Comia stressed.
In the manifesto, the Moro leaders in the city urged members of their communities to adhere to the culture of security being implemented by Task Force Davao and other peace initiatives.
“Kami na mga miyembro ng United Muslim Council for Peace and Development (UMCPD) at naniniwala parin na ang Islam at ang karahasan ay magkasalungat sa isa’t-isa. Sa katunayan, ang konsepto ng Islamic na karahasan ay klarong hindi supportado ng ating paniniwala at ito ay karapat-dapat na itakwil. Ang Qur’an ay nagtuturo sa atin na ang Ummah ay daan para sa kapayapaan sa pamamagitan ng pagtuturo ng importansya ng pagkakaisa,” the Manifesto stated.
In his message, Iranun Deputy Mayor Pamikiren Latip P. Arumpac assured the City Government of Davao and authorities their all-out support to maintain peace and order.
Likewise, Davao Region Grand Mufti Region Alem Mohammad Pasigan expressed his support to the government to end the atrocities by following the set guidelines and reporting suspected individuals in their community. CIO
