ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has declared an increase in military personnel in Zamboanga City to aid the local police in maintaining law and order. This announcement came on Thursday following a visit by Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete, the head of Westmincom, to the headquarters of Task Force Zamboanga (TFZ) at Camp Gen. Arturo Enrile on Wednesday.
The additional forces will be stationed at strategic checkpoints around the city to bolster security efforts. According to Westmincom, this deployment is in response to a request from Zamboanga City Mayor John Dalipe to address ongoing security issues.
The City Peace and Order Council (CPOC), led by Mayor Dalipe, recently approved a resolution calling for military support to tackle a series of shooting incidents. This resolution, proposed by Councilor Vincent Paul Elago, who heads the City Council’s Committee on Peace and Order, was passed during a special CPOC meeting on February 8.
Since January, the city has seen eight shooting incidents, the most recent occurring on February 7 on Falcatan Street in Barangay Tetuan, resulting in three fatalities. Councilor Elago emphasized the effectiveness of a visible military presence alongside police in preventing crime.
Lt. Gen. Nafarrete encouraged the troops of TFZ to stay alert, especially with the upcoming midterm elections. He stressed the importance of ensuring the safety and security of Zamboanga City’s residents as the elections approach.
This reinforcement highlights the military’s dedication to assisting local authorities in maintaining peace and order in the region.