ZAMBOANGA City Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar has directed authorities to secure places of worship to ensure safety and protection of worshipers and devotees of all faiths.
Salazar said during a recent City Peace and Order Council (CPOC) meeting, she has directed the local government and security forces to create a group dedicated specifically for places of worship such as mosques and churches.
“I have directed Dr. Elmeir Apolinario (City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office chief), the Task Force Zamboanga, and the police to create, in the words of Fr. Roseller Atilano, our pastoral security guards, to ensure the protection of mosques, temples, and all places of worship,” Salazar said.
Aside from places of worship, thousands of people are also expected to converge at Mount Abong-Abong in the village of Pasonanca for the way of the cross.
She said the group will be composed of members of security forces as well as leaders of different religious organizations and will have the objective to “assure and assist in the protection of the worshipers.” (Bong Garcia/SunStar Philippines)