Border security group created

government agencies involved in maritime security patrol in Davao region signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) yesterday at Eastern Mindanao Command Headquarters, Naval Station Felix Apolinario in Panacan, Davao City to formalize the creation of Border Security Coordinating Council.

According to Eastmincom Public Information Officer (PIO) Major Ezra Balagte, there were 20 council members who are involved in securing the border. The move aims to synergize efforts in addressing thrats of terrorism, illegal drugs, human trafficking, smuggling, piracy and robbery in coastal areas of Davao region.

Member agencies will join efforts and resources for a more efficient security response, conduct focus and complementing activities and a more responsive action toward pressing

problems confronting the borders of the region.

During the MOA signing, the council was broken into sub-groups namely Sea Group, Land Group, Air Group, Intelligence Group and Integrated Sea, Land and Air Group.

Eastmincom commander Lieutenant General Rey Leonardo Guerrero was voted as the overall chairperson of the council, Police Regional Office (PRO 11) regional Director Police Chief Superintendent Manuel Gaerlan as vice chair for land while the director of National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA 11) as vice chair for intelligence.

The commander of the Naval Force of Eastern Mindanao NFEM was voted as the vice chair for sea while for Regional Director of Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) is the vice chair for air.

The director of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) was designated for the integrated sea, air and land and Colonel Gabriel C. Viray III of Eastmincom was selected as the head secretariat.