Intensified coast line security, Celso urges

Mayor Celso Lobregat has underscored the need to strengthen response capability of the different law enforcement agencies designated to guard the coast line of Zamboanga and the neighboring areas.

Mayor Lobregat said enhancement of security and peace and order plan should take into consideration the location and geography of the city of Zamboanga. "We have a very long coast line and so the entire sea lane becomes a highway", the mayor said, pointing out that numerous incidents happen at sea, the latest of which was the abduction of fish farm caretaker Vicente "Teng" Barrios. "This means to say that the kidnappers are having a hard time conducting criminal activities on land and so the whole sea becomes their highway".The chief executive stressed during the Multi-sectoral stakeholders’ convergence for peace, development and security initiated by Western Mindanao Command Chief Lt. Gen. Benjamin Dolorfino at the military headquarters in Calarian Tuesday. Mayor Lobregat said having a coordinated effort in terms of response and facilities between the agencies tasked to safeguard the coastlines such as the Philippine Navy, the Philippine Coast Guard, Special Action Force, Maritime Police and many others. "All of these have sea assets so we have to make sure that when an incident happens the reporting time is up to the barest minimum and all units can respond and should respond immediately".Meanwhile, it was during the convergence meeting where Gen. Dolorfino proposed the creation of a multi-sectoral committee that would address security-related problems that require sustained non-military intervention. Mayor Lobregat welcomed the idea though he suggested the enhancement of the City Peace and Order Council to further strengthen the campaign against kidnapping and the spate of killings in the barangays of Mampang, Arena Blanco and Talon-talon. Aside from the CPOC, the city government, based existing laws, has organized local councils or committees with members from the civil societies as members. Members in such mandated committees pass through certain accreditation process, as prescribed under the law. "It is true the city government, the police and the military cannot solve peace and order problems alone, thus, we need the cooperation of the community", the mayor added. (Sheila Covarrubias)

Via Zamboanga Times

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