Laak, Compostella Valley - The Local Government Unit (LGU) of Laak in cooperation with the 3rd Special Forces Battalion (3SFBn) and the Compostella Valley Provincial Police Office assembled all Bantay Bayan of Laak Municipality at the Laak Municipal Gym last June 12, 2009.
The activity started with a registration of the participants from the different barangays of Laak wherein about 1,300 members of the Barangay Police Laban sa Krimen (BPLK) Bantay Bayan brought along a total of 226 assorted high and low-powered firearms.
The participants attended the seminar prepared for them which was aimed to equip them with the basic skills and knowledge in order to maintain and uphold peace and order in their areas as well as to strengthen links among the members.
Representatives from the PNP, military and from the LGU conducted series of lectures on Organizational Structure and the Role of Bantay Bayan.
Lt Colonel Roylan Orquia, Commander of 3SFBn said, “This activity is also conceptualized purposely to prevent the recovery efforts of the NPAs and to minimize the activities of lawless elements in the area.”
“When peace and order is established in the municipality, this will help the LGU and other stakeholders to deliver the basic social services and development projects in conflict-affected areas,” Orquia added.
Meanwhile, the activity enabled the authorities to account the existing members and firearms of Bantay Bayan who could help protect the villages against lawless elements.
Hon. Reynaldo B. Navarro, Municipal Mayor of Laak graced the occasion as keynote speaker. The mayor distributed green t-shirts printed with Laak Bantay Bayan. He said, “This is to motivate them to be more vigilant and to help in protecting the security and the enforcing against armed threats.”
“The green t-shirt symbolizes a new beginning for the people of Laak for unity and progress,” Navarro added.
Also present during the said activity were PNP personnel of ComVal led by S/SUPT Ronald N. Dela Rosa, the Provincial Director and other military personnel.
At lunch time, a traditional military “boodle fight” was shared by everyone to instill camaraderie among the participants.
The LGU officials and the locals were very thankful for the successful outcome of the activity. One of the Bantay Bayan members said, “We appreciated the efforts of the military who endeavors to actively pursue peace building initiatives together with the various stakeholders in our municipality.”
The military is optimistic that the recognition of the Bantay Bayan, as the first line of defense, will be of great help in the protection of the community against lawless elements.
No comments:
Post a Comment