Philippine police vow to keep peace in Sulu

SULU: The Philippine National Police (PNP) vows to continue monitoring peace and order in Sulu despite the waving of white flags by some 100 former Abu Sayyaf members which was formalized through a ceremony on Saturday.

Then-PNP chief Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr. said that the road to achieving lasting peace is still up ahead as the campaign against criminality and lawlessness involves an intricate process.?

“Their surrender is a milestone but we prepare ourselves to make things work for them. We want to avoid a similar situation when they and/or other new recruits will be persuaded to join the rebels out of deceit,” Danao said in a statement.

Danao believes that it is high time to prove to the rebel returnees that their decision to go back to the fold of the law is a prudent choice.?

“We must make sure that they feel that the government is capable of helping them survive and thrive in life. The PNP has this innate task to keep them away from harm, so with the rest of our countrymen,” Danao said.

Danao said that the PNP is in constant coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and other law enforcers to monitor the movements of existing rebel and terror groups in Sulu and other identified "red" zones.

Priority is given to areas where there is an intense need to deploy more personnel due to the escalated violent condition. Threat assessment is ongoing.

“Meanwhile, the PNP continues to implement programs and outreach activities in far-flung areas to move basic services closer to them,” Danao said further.?

The 100 former Abu Sayyaf members took an oath of allegiance to the Philippines in that ceremony held on Awal Muharam Day or Islamic New Year’s Day.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. led the oath taking ceremony in Patikul town after they were presented by Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) chief Maj. Gen. Patrick Villacorte.