NCRPO forges stronger ties with Muslim communities against violence, terrorism

By Nonette N. Castillo

CALOOCAN CITY, Feb. 7 (PIA) — The Philippine National Police (PNP) National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) will be visiting various Muslim communities in Metro Manila and forging stronger ties as part of its peace covenant aimed at showing solidarity and getting support against the threat of terrorism.

“This is to show solidarity, cooperation between our Muslim brothers at ang ating government workers. So ito ay pagpapaigting ng ating peace covenant para maiwasan po yung dahas at karahasan na puwedeng mangyari in the future,” NCRPO chief, Maj. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr. said, following a dialogue and signing of peace covenant with Muslim leaders at Barangay Palatiw, Pasig City on Friday.

Danao said he is just adopting a program he started when he was still director of the Manila Police District (MPD). The City of Manila is said to have at least 105,094 Muslims living there based on the 2015 census.

“Actually, itong programa na ito started when I became the district director of Manila and lahat naman po ng Muslim leaders doon ay kinausap namin and so far naging maayos naman at naging maganda ang result,” he said.

Danao said this is a good way to start in Metro Manila and that agreements will be forged so that these communities will not tolerate violence and allow their areas to be safe havens of terrorists.

“Isa sa mga napagkasunduan natin and kanila rin pong iwawaksi ang violence that may happen in their area napakagandang adhikain po ito para sa lahat para maiwasan natin yung puwedeng mangyari na terroristic activities,” he added.

Asked for an assessment on the campaign against the threat of terrorism and communism in NCR, Danao said the situation is “so far manageable”.

“I just hope that this would continue so that we would be able to completely eradicate and stop violence especially in the aspect of terrorism,” he added.

Danao also hopes that the program will gain more momentum so that these communities will forever shun away terrorism in its all forms.

“Since day 1 nung na-assign ako dito and everywhere kung saan ako ma assign, constant ang ating communication sa ating mga barangay regardless kung Muslim ka, regardless of what religion you belong to or what belief you have,” he said.

“Ang importante na makita natin dito is yung cooperation, collaboration ng community with our law enforcement officers,” he added. (PIA NCR)