MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)--The government further toils to ensure that the security in this place gets even more intensified.

In pursuit of this, the local government unit (LGU) here together with the Philippine Army and the Philippine National Police (PNP) officially launched the Task Force Marawi which shall serve as the top unit to secure the peace and order of the city. 

City Councilor Abdani Alonto, the chairperson of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Peace and Order, said the creation of this body is part of the keenness of the city government to enact different resolutions gearing towards good governance and development of their locality.

He bared that a series of public consultations was conducted which convened different sectors in the city, and heard their views on how the government can get the support of the people. 

Alonto stated that it was recommended to establish the Task Force Marawi, thus, the urgent request to the council to make a resolution for this, which was fortunately approved by the local chief executive through issuing an executive order for the immediate implementation of this matter. 

This was attested by Mayor Majul Gandamra who underscored that the launch of the task force manifests the dedication of security forces to stand side-by-side with the LGU in its battle against any form of felony. 

Apart from this, he stressed that this would also be vital in their goal of rendering public service to the citizenry. 

“This is a very reassuring gesture and proof that the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police will always be by our side in our quest to keep Marawi City's order situation stable… In essence, the creation of the Task Force Marawi is not only to help secure the law and order but also for collaboration on the delivery of the services to our constituents,” said Gandamra.

While this is the first local group founded primarily for security purposes, 1st Infantry “Tabak” Division Commanding Officer MGen. Antonio Nafarette underscored that the creation of this task force is not new as other cities in the country also initiated the same endeavor. 

“It is just normal that we have to collaborate and bring together our efforts para magkaroon ng coordination at katiwasayan, at ang ating trabaho ay magampanan ng bawat isa (so that we can have coordination and peace, and our job would be fulfilled by each one of us),” he said. 

The Task Force Marawi is composed of members from various security forces such as the Philippine Army, PNP, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), among others. 

In the activation ceremony, 500th Combat Engineer Acting Commanding Officer LtCol. Jerome Redosendo was designated the acting commander of the troop. 

Following his installation, he vowed to fulfill his mandate for the sake of his fellowmen in the country’s lone Islamic City.

“It is an honor and privilege for me to stand before you as the newly installed and the first commander of the Task Force Marawi… As I take this role, I pledge to serve with honor, integrity, and dedication,” said Redosendo. (CRG/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur)