Patikul peace covenant signed in wake of Jolo bombings –military

A People’s Peace Covenant signing was held in Patikul, Sulu on Thursday, which aims to ensure peace and order in the area, the Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) said on Friday.

According to WestMinCom chief Major General Corleto Vinluan Jr., the event, called the Patikul Parjanjian, was a collective oath of the people of Patikul and the entire province of Sulu, which is centered on the core belief of Islam that "Muslims enjoin good and forbid wrongdoing."

Vinulan said through the covenant, "the evil act of the Abu Sayyaf Group is collectively condemned." Under the covenant, security and local officials as well as civilians are urged to report and prevent the presence of the ASG in the vicinity of their respective barangays.

The people of Patikul, Sulu also declared the local terror group as persona non grata in their respective communities.

"In essence, detest Abu Sayyaf Group as not only unIslamic but destroys the culture of peaceful Bangsa Sug," Vinluan said in a message.

Under the covenant, the people of Sulu are also encouraged to:

• follow the rule of law in settling disputes;
• establish and empower barangay-based Islamic traditional institutions to prevent and counter violent extremism;
• empower Muslim families to harden and prevent family members from being swayed away by the extremists; and
• collaborate and converge all government efforts to establish institutions that will strengthen public safety and security, such as an integrated community defense system.

Aside from Vinluan, the event was attended by Joint Task Force Sulu chief Brigadier General William Gonzales, 1102nd Infantry Brigade commander Brigade General Ignatius Patrimonio, 1101st Infantry Brigade commander Colonel Antonio Bautista, Jr., Sulu Police Provincial Office officer-in-charge Police Colonel Michael Bawayan, Jr., Sulu governor Abdusakur Tan, Patikul Mayor Kabir Hayudini, Patikul Vice-Mayor Datu Pulaus Tarsum, other local government officials of Patikul as well as other guests.

The signing of the covenant came after the Jolo twin suicide bombings which killed 15 people and wounded over 70 others. — DVM, GMA News