ARMM council passes resolutions to counter terrorism, illegal drugs

ZAMBOANGA CITY – A resolution mandating local government units in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) to have a regular allocation for traditional madaris, or learning institutions, was adopted recently during the Fourth Regional Peace and Order Council meeting in Cotabato City.

ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman said the resolution complements the recent drafting of the Unified Standard Curriculum for the Traditional Weekend Madrasah by ARMM’s Bureau of Madaris.

Another resolution was passed to request the Supreme Court to designate special courts that will handle drug cases in the five ARMM provinces, while two other resolutions sought the creation of an Anti-Terrorism Task Force and a Regional Anti-Drug Abuse Council.

Hataman said that these three resolutions would “provide a strong foundation for a values-based education in the region grounded on true Islamic beliefs and teachings.”

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) had actually issued a memorandum establishing anti-drug abuse councils in the different government levels.

But considering that ARMM is autonomous in nature, establishing a council at the regional level was deemed to be an appropriate approach.

Hataman presided over the meeting with members of the RPOC, including Western Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Carlito G Galvez Jr., Maj. Gen. Arnel Dela Vega of the Sixth Infantry Division, and Col. Gene Ponio of the First Infantry Division.

During the meeting, the Police Regional Office-ARMM also discussed the latest crime statistics in the region, along with the status of some rido (family feud), kidnapping cases, insurgency, and other related incidents.