Stop rampant criminality, Basilan cops, soldiers told

ISABELA CITY — The Provincial Peace and Order Council here has asked security forces to come up with inclusive, preventive, proactive, and effective measures to solve the spate of killings in the province.

 PPOC chair and Basilan Governor Hadjiman S. Hataman-Salliman issued the order during an emergency meeting of the security sector held at the 101st Infantry or Three Red Arrows Brigade on Thursday.

 The Basilan Provincial Police Office reported during the meeting the alarming number of crimes that have occurred during the last quarter of the year compared to the same period last year.

 Brig. Gen Alvin Luzon, commander of the 101st brigade, has proposed the creation of a Joint Security Task Force to promptly respond to shooting incidents and other forms of violence in the province.

 The latest was the gun-slaying of a money transfer employee in Lamitan City, Basilan on Tuesday.

 Luzon said the creation of a task force will enhance the security procedures to address the criminalities and acts of violence in the province.

 "Let us mobilize our resources and show the people of Basilan that the law enforcement agencies and the security sectors are working collaboratively to sustain the peace in Basilan Province," Luzon said.

 He urged the Basileños to support the peace advocacies of the Basilan government, and to "be vigilant and report any suspicious acts trying to hamper the developmental effort of the government."

 According to Luzon the military in the province is on track to ending the Abu Sayyaf Group problem in Basilan.