Kidapawan LGU activates peace and order TG

KIDAPAWAN CITY, North Cotabato -- The city government here, activated this morning the Task Group Kidapawan, created to maintain and preserve peace and order in the city.

City Mayor Joseph Evangelista noted that the group will focus in all forms of crimes to ensure the safety of all the citizens.

“The Task Group Kidapawan will not only man the checkpoints but will also do patrolling and monitoring in strategic areas such as schools, public market, malls and churches,” Evangelista stated.

Also, he said that the city government will assign a truck and eight tricabs for the task group.

On the other hand, Police Senior Supt. Leonardo Suan, deputy regional director for operations emphasized that members of the task group should be further trained as far as human rights is concerned.

This was supported by Col. Roberto Ancan, commanding officer of the 1002nd Brigade who stated that members of the task group should bear in mind four things. These include respect for human rights, ensure safety and security, work as a team and always ask for divine guidance.

The conceptualization of the task group started on 2014 after then vicemayor Rodolfo Gantuangco passed a resolution authorizing city mayor Joseph Evangelista to organize one company of special citizen armed forces geographical unit active auxiliary (SCAA) in Kidapawan City. However, this was not realized due to the change of leadership in the hierarchy of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Meanwhile, in place of the SCAA, the 39th Infantry Battalion based in Makilala, North Cotabato issued General Order No. 9 enlisting the names of officers and personnel to compose the task group.

This was backed by city mayor Evangelista’s signing of the Executive Order 038, establishing the guidelines in the activation of the Task Group Kidapawan.

Spearheaded by the 39th IB, members of the task group include elements of the 72nd Infantry Battalion of the 1002nd Brigade and operatives of the Cotabato Public Safety Company of the Cotabato Police Provincial Office.

The activation was pushed through due to the series of shootings and other crimes in the city recently.