THE Task Force Buglas conducted a three-day forum on violent extremism held in the cities of Talisay and Kabankalan, and the municipality of Manapla last week.

It is an information drive aimed at promoting community awareness of the danger and threat of violent extremism, in order to protect lives and properties, and sustain peace and order and public safety.

The activity was spearheaded by the Task Force Buglas Task Group on Information and Education Advocacy in coordination with the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI), Department of Education (DepEd), and the LGU Planning and Development Office.

The first day of the forum was held at Nature’s Village Resort in Talisay City attended by participants from the business and transport sectors, while the second and third day of the forum was held in Kabankalan City and in the Municipality of Manapla, respectively, participated by the city or municipal planning officers, parochial schools, and DepEd district supervisors.

The invited speakers were Rolane Uy of the Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry who talked about her personal experience during the terror threat in Bohol last year; Colonel Inocencio Pasaporte, deputy brigade commander of the 303rd Infantry Battalion, who talked about Islamist extremist groups a threat to national security; Merlie Mendoza who talked on personal perspective on violent extremism and insights in working in complex communities; and Ustadz Najeeb Razul, Mufti from Region 7, who talked on Islam and Islamist Extremism.

The Executive Order 17–16 created the Negros Occidental Task Force Buglas as an answer to the emerging threat of Islamist extremism in the country, especially in Mindanao, as experienced in Marawi City last year.

The Task Force for Peace and Security, or Task Force Buglas, is chaired by Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr.

It is composed of different task groups such as anti-criminality, critical infrastructures, internal security, coast watch, humanitarian assistance and disaster response, communication, and information and education advocacy. (PR)