DILG Puno sworn in BPATS-ZDS

By PJTremedal

Pagadian City – DILG Secretary Ronaldo V. Puno who says that “Kung may puno, may bunga” (If there is a tree there it would surely bear fruits)arrived September 14 her in this part of Western Mindanao, to sworn in more or less 2,000 Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams (BPATS) to help and support the government peace initiatives.

Secretary Puno with PNP Regional Director Angelo Sunglao of PNP Region 9, P/DG Felizardo Serapio of DIPO (Eastern Command), and P/CS Umpa of PNP ARMM together with the local government officials of both the City of pagadian the Province of Zamboanga del Sur, Mayor Samuels Co and Governor Aurora Cerilles acted as witness in the said launching and induction ceremony held at the City Gymnasium.

In Pagadian City alone, more or less 500 BPATS are organized.

"In the 54 barangays (urban and rural) of the city our office has initiated to organized barangay folks to augment our police force in peacekeeping, however, with them, it is a great help not only for us(police) but to the entire barangay as they are the real peace keepers" City COP P/CI Michael Palermo said.

On the said occasion, the PNP Ladies Clubs of Zamboanga del Sur PNP Command also gathers to attend the 2nd PNP Ladies Club General Assembly with their PNP Ladies Club Provincial Adviser Mrs. Ma. Carla Ochotorena(PNP Ladies Club President) and Regional Adviser Mrs. Rose Sunglao who passed a resolution to the DILG secretary for support and help in augmenting the ladies clubs program and projects.

“ Sugpuin and Krimen, Palaganapin ang kapayapaan” (Stop crime and propagate peace) said the DILG Secretary as message to every member of the BPATS.,whose creation is to help the local government, the police, to become mentors of peace and lead their own barangay to achieve peace and development.

The occasion is timely as the national government has pave its way to talk on peace against groups like the MILF, the Communist Party, and other groups that peace can be achieved in Mindanao and the whole nation thru a common goal, the peace process.

In related development, Secretary Puno opens the Regional Peace and Order Council to assess the real situation of Western Mindanao. RPOC is under the chairmanship of Governor Aurora Cerilles who is serious enough in the peace initiatives, not only on her local governance but as well as in line with the Arroyo Government peace initiatives, Western Mindanao hopes to achieve it thru a real peace process.

PHILIP JAMES MONGAYA TREMEDAL
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