UNGKAYA PUKAN, Basilan (PIA) — The Ministry of Public Order and Safety (MPOS) in the province, in collaboration with the 45th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army, recently hosted a community-based advocacy initiative entitled “Promoting a Safe, Secure and Successful Elections,” bringing together various barangay chairpersons from Albarka and Tipo-Tipo towns.
The objective of the two-day advocacy initiative was to address critical security concerns related to the upcoming National and Local Elections.
Attendees, including prominent local leaders, participated in engaging discussions aimed at enhancing community safety and preventing election-related violence, particularly incidents of “rido,” or clan feuds.
Shahid Akbara, community affairs officer of MPOS Basilan, emphasized the importance of collaboration between the local government and military personnel in ensuring a peaceful electoral process.
“We all play a crucial role in maintaining peace during elections. We must abide by the gun ban and work together to provide accurate information to our communities, countering any misinformation that may arise,” he said.
The participants explored pressing topics such as the current crime situation, prevention strategies against rido-related violence and the implementation of response protocols to potential threats.
To encapsulate the spirit of collaboration, they adopted the motto: “Pagtulungan na makaboto lahat ang botante ng maayos at ligtas.”
The MPOS and 45th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army, hoped that by fostering strong partnerships among community leaders and security forces, violence would be mitigated and a safe atmosphere created for voters as the elections approached.
“This collaborative effort establishes a foundational framework that prioritizes the security and participation of all voters in Basilan,” Akbara stressed. (EDT/NDR/PIA9-Basilan with reports from MPOS Basilan)
