CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City-–The Armed Forces of the Philippines, through the Western Mindanao Command, attributed the successful Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) meeting on June 10 in Maimbung, Sulu to the whole-of-nation approach as it empowered local government units (LGUs) to spearhead peace and development efforts in their provinces.
"The meet, which for the first time was held in Sulu, was due to the cooperation of Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) political and spiritual leaders' embracing their responsibility to maintain peace and security in the region," said LTC Enrico Gil Ileto, Chief of the Public Affairs Office, AFP.
"The conduct of conventional and non-conventional military activities also helped significantly reduce threats and raised trust between the government and the local communities," he added.
The meeting was attended by various national and local leaders. It has served as a forum for thoughtful discussion and strategic planning aimed at fostering peace, stability, and progress across the region.
BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim led the discussions centering on the current security situation and improvement plans. He was joined by esteemed individuals including Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr; LtGen Roy Galido, Commander of Western Mindanao Command; LtGen Arthur Cordura, the AFP Vice Chief of Staff; and senior military officers from the General Headquarters.
The AFP assured the council of improved cooperation with local government units, other government agencies, and pertinent organizations to address the underlying causes of disputes and strive toward comprehensive and long-lasting solutions. This includes consolidating efforts to end Local and Communist Terrorist Groups, establishment of programs to address rido and horizontal conflicts, and implementation of programs intended for former violent extremists.
The historic first RPOC meeting in BARMM signifies a strong commitment to unity and improved security by all stakeholders in the area. The AFP is committed to preserving the re-discovered stability in the region to ensure the continued prosperity and progress of the BARMM./// (Photo by: Sgt Manzano PA, PAOAFP)
