Police, military in Western Mindanao join forces to combat crime, threats to security

AFP FILE PHOTO

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – A ranking police official in Western Mindanao has called for a “more active and systematic collaboration between the military and the police” to fight off threats to the peace and order in this city.

In calling for closer police-military coordination, Chief Supt. Edgardo Ingking, directorate for the integrated police operations in Western Mindanao, said there has been no other area that has faced more threat to peace and security than this city.

He cited Wednesday’s signing of an agreement between the military and the police as an example of the “active and systematic collaboration” that would secure the city.

“Today is only the start of more engagements needed to further improve the mechanisms and procedures that will sustain the unity of effort between the two agencies in addressing peace and security concerns and disaster mitigation response,” Ingking said.

In the agreement, signed in behalf of the military by the Western Mindanao Command chief, Lt. Gen. Rustico Guerrero, and Inking in behalf of the police, an “area of joint cooperation” was made.

It also adopted “a strategic shift from the traditional way of conducting law enforcement to defeat terror groups such as the Abu Sayyaf.”

Under the agreement, the military would also provide assistance in crime prevention and solution to address gaps in police operation.

Guerrero said more work should be done as more mechanisms would have to be instituted to clarify areas of intelligence, operations and legal issues.