DAGUPAN CITY -- A total of 13,887 Muslims and Christians from different towns and cities in Pangasinan are now part of the Salaam Police Volunteers.
Police Chief Inspector Norman Florentino, chief of the community relations officer of the Pangasinan Police Provincial Office (PPPO), said on March 8 at the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas (KBP) Pangasinan chapter forum that 800 of the total number are Muslims.
Salaam, which means peace in Islam, was organized by PPPO to show that Muslims and Christians in the province are united in peace and prosperity, said Florentino.
Pangasinan is the pilot area for the Salaam Police Volunteers’ group, which aims to prevent and combat terrorism in the province.
Florentino said members of the group would also serve as auxiliary team for the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (Badac).
“They will help our fight against illegal drugs, will serve during calamity or disaster, internal security, watchers against corruption, aside from helping in the anti- terrorism campaigns of the PPO,” he added.
The volunteer group project also helps remove the stigma against Muslims after the Marawi City siege.
“This is to show that our Muslim brothers are different from the terrorists in Marawi, hence they should not be feared and looked down upon,” said Florentino.
Members of Salaam have finished the trainings funded by the local governments of 17 towns and Alaminos City.
Policemen conducted lectures on different topics such as “Core Values and Culture of a Christian,” Anti-Terrorism Law, Republic Act 9165, “First Responders and Crime Scene Preservation,” and Crime Reporting. (PNA)