The Bohol provincial police office continues to strengthen their coordination with the Muslim communities in the province through the Salaam Police Advocacy Group (SPAG).

Muslim communities are growing in the province. Bohol provincial police officials describe them as “more peace-loving than some of us.”

SPAGs are vital members of the force multipliers in helping the Philippine National Police maintain the peace and order and in the implementation of various programs of the organization.

“There are now 14 Muslim communities here and another one is starting,” said Cpl. Jonald Avenido, SPAG Bohol provincial coordinator.

Avenido was speaking during the weekly Camp Dagohoy police community affairs program dubbed Strategic Information Broadcasting over the Internet and other Access (SIBIA).

In each Muslim community, there is a Salaam police group which serves as a peace advocacy group that has a direct line to the community leaders.

Salaam is from the Arabic word of universal Muslim greeting Assalamu alaykum (Peace be upon you).

“These are composed of Muslim and non-Muslim officers and men assigned to counter-terror operations and liaise with Muslim communities for a better exchange of cultural understanding and intelligence information,” explained Avinido. 

Based at the BPPO Police Community Affairs and Development Unit (PCADU), the SPAG has municipal units in police stations with Muslim populations.

“Muslims in Bohol are now about 2,000 families spread out in Tagbilaran City, with the biggest population at over 1,000 families in four settlements in the Muslim Village, the Islamic Muslim Community, the Darussalam Muslim Community and the Unitop Muslim Community,” said Avinido. 

The Jagna Muslim community with Maranaws under Ali Ahkbar Marohum and Tausugs under Amalam Abbas has around 500 families, and Ubay town has 300 Muslim families.

Muslim communities are also present in Tubigon, Catigbian, Batuan, Talibon, Trinidad, Clarin, Baclayon, and Inabanga towns. (RAHC/PIA7 Bohol)