“Umaasa kami na ang kanyang karanasan ay makakatulong sa epektibong pagsugpo ng kriminalidad”
MANILA—The Regional Police Office of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) expressed confidence that the leadership of the new Interim Chief Minister, Abdularaof Macacua, will help reduce crime rates and maintain peace in the region.
In an interview, Police Brigadier General Romeo J. Macapaz said that while the police will remain neutral and non-partisan, especially with two upcoming elections—the national midterms in May and the parliamentary elections in October—they are confident that Macacua’s experience will be invaluable in ensuring safety in BARMM.
Macacua, who is currently the chief of staff of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s (MILF) armed wing, the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF), was appointed as the new Interim Chief Minister of BARMM ahead of the two elections earlier this month.
“Umaasa kami na ang kanyang karanasan ay makakatulong sa epektibong pagsugpo ng kriminalidad, kabilang ang loose firearms, illegal drugs, at banta ng terorismo sa rehiyon, gayundin sa pagtugon sa anumang hamon sa katahimikan,” Macapaz said.
In a separate interview, Macacua said that the decommissioning of armed groups, including the MILF, will be one of his priorities as the new minister, starting with himself.
“So, until now, hindi pa rin ako nade-decommission. But definitely, I will undertake this decommissioning,” Macacua stated.
BOL in de-escalating tensions in BARMM
When asked about the situation in BARMM before and after the enactment of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), Macapaz said they have observed a decline in crime rates, particularly in encounters between government forces and rebel groups.
The police general mentioned that the establishment of BARMM under BOL has led communities to become more open to peacebuilding efforts.
“Base sa ating datos, bumaba ang insidente ng malalaking engkwentro sa pagitan ng mga dating rebeldeng grupo at pwersa ng gobyerno. Mas naging bukas na rin ang mga komunidad sa peacebuilding efforts,” Macapaz added.
Both Macacua and Macapaz attributed the remaining armed conflict in the region to private armed groups (PAGs), which they vowed to dismantle through their respective initiatives.
“Gayunpaman, nananatili ang ilang security concerns, gaya ng mga local armed groups at private armed groups na maaaring magdulot ng instability sa ilang lugar. Makakaasa po kayo na aming paiigtingin ang operasyon laban sa mga grupong ito upang mapanatili ang kapayapaan sa rehiyon,” the general assured.
Macapaz also noted that efforts from the national government, through Special Assistant to the President Anton Lagdameo, Jr., have been crucial in maintaining peace and advancing development in BARMM. They hope these efforts will continue as the elections approach.
The police will further intensify their efforts to secure peace and order in the region, with support from the Commission on Elections (Comelec), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and other security forces, Macapaz concluded.