ZAMBOANGA CITY — The United States has committed to help the local government enhance its counter-violent extremism and terrorism program.
Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar said Thursday the commitment was relayed to her by Capt. Patrick Foley, team leader of the US Civil Military Support Element (CMSE), during the latter’s visit to this city.
Foley on Monday called on Salazar at the City Hall, and they discussed counter-violent extremism and terrorism (CVET) initiatives in this city in partnership with other agencies.
Salazar said the meeting was a prelude to the arrival of a bigger group from the US State Department and US Embassy that will conduct a series of meetings with stakeholders in the city related to CVET.
They also discussed the existing program of the government for the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) members who surrendered to live a peaceful life.
On April, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) launched a program providing intervention to former members of rebel groups. The Program Against Violent Extremism (PAVE) initially covers former ASG members, who have surrendered to the government, and their families.
ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman said the PAVE will form part of the national government’s Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP) as it has been recognized by the National Peace and Order Council.
The CLIP is aimed at achieving permanent and peaceful closure of all armed conflicts and help fight terrorism. (Teofilo Garcia, Jr/PNA)
