BULUAN, Maguindanao – Newly-elected village and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials across Maguindanao, who will commence serving on July 1, vowed Thursday to help rid the province of terrorists and illegal drugs.
The village and SK leaders made the commitment during their mass oath-taking Thursday before Governor Esmael Mangudadatu at the municipal gymnasium here.
During the ceremony, Mangudadatu urged the local officials to make their presence felt by helping the government prevent the spread of violent extremism in their respective communities.
Local police and military officials were also around to witness the village officials’ manifestation of support to the government’s drive against illegal drugs, and extremists that have been victimizing civilians by setting off explosives in populated areas.
“I am elated that you are now vocal against misguided religious extremists trying to establish communities in our province,” Mangudadatu said, adding that the extremists failed to expand their influence over some barangays because “leaders there are true Muslims who are opposed to terrorism.”
On illegal drugs, Mangudadatu also said he was elated that many village officials are now cooperating with the police and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
Director Juvenal Azurin, PDEA regional director for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PDEA-ARMM), said 109 of Maguindanao’s 508 villages are now “drug-free” and the process of drug-clearing operations in the barangay level remains in effect.
Azurin said the village officials have been helpful in PDEA‘s campaign against illegal drugs. (Edwin Fernandez/PNA)
