Special Report. MINDANAO AUTONOMOUS GOVERNOR CALLS JOINT REG'L, PROV'L PEACE COUNCILS MEETING IN MARAWI
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| Hataman, second from left, emphasizes a point during the joint RPOC-PPOC meeting. BPI-ARMM PHOTO |
MARAWI CITY, Philippines
October 19, 2015
The Regional Governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) called an emergency joint meeting here today of the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) and the Lanao del Sur Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) to discuss possible actions to be taken following the killing last weekend of PSupt. Abner Wahab Santos, Marawi City’s police chief.
ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman and Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Adiong, Jr. presided over the meeting at the provincial capitol here
Hataman opened the meeting with a statement that it was held here because no less than the City Director was killed in a daylight ambush.
Provincial Police Director Siegrid Ramos presented a report on the crime situation in this City and the province of Lanao del Sur.
His report showed that beginning early in September, this year, a series of arrests of persons for offenses related to illegal drugs and illegal position of firearms were made by the City Police Office.
It also showed that three policemen were killed while on patrol by unidentfified men riding on motorcycles.
Findings also showed that the Montero used in the Santos ambush was not registered in the Land Transportation Office (LTO), according to Ramos.
Although not emphasized in the report, observers thought the killing of Santos could be an offshoot of his unit’s accelerated campaign against prohibited drugs.
Ramos made the following recommendations: 1) Creation of SITG (Special Task Group) “Abner”; 2) Creation Joint Task Force (AFP/PNP); 3) Gun-free zone in Marawi and Lanao del Sur; 4) Intesify Operations against illegal Drugs; 5) Intensify operation against stolen vehicles and motorcycles; 6) Creation of Ordinance on the prohibition of heavily tinted vehicles; and 7) Creation of an Ordinance on the prohibition of wearing of helmet while driving motorcycle..
Hataman noted that the recommendations must be given favorable action by the provincial and city government.
He repeatedly said that the City government must take immediate action because the incident happened here and the victim was the Head of the City Police Office.
Asked by newsmen if he has any suspects in the ambush of the City Director, Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Adiong, Jr. replied, “We will just wait for the result of the investigation being conducted by the Philippine National Police.”
Marawi City Mayor Fahad Salic was not available for comment since he was not around though his representative was present.
The councils adopted the creation of a joint task force to intensify the enforcement law in the region, especially in the province. The councils will also create Special Investigating Task Group “Abner” that will further investigate the killing.
In attendance in the meeting included Haroun Al-Rashid Lucman, ARMM vice governor, Col. Roseller Murillo, 103rd Brigade Commander and PCSupt. Ronald Estilles, and ARMM’s Police Regional Office director.
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