President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday ordered the intensified campaign against private armed groups (PAGs) and loose firearms as he reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sustaining peace and development in Mindanao.
Marcos issued the directive during the turnover of 195 high-powered loose firearms voluntarily surrendered by civilians from different municipalities in Sulu. He also visited the newly established Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB) 9B headquarters in Camp Hadji Suod B. Tan in Maimbung town, also in Sulu.
“Binigyang-diin din ng Pangulo ang patuloy na pagpapaigting ng intelligence operations at kampanya laban sa mga PAGs at ilegal na armas (The President also emphasized the continued intensification of intelligence operations and campaigns against PAGs and illegal weapons),” the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said in a statement.
“Mas matatag na koordinasyon ng pambansa at lokal na pamahalaan, katuwang ang kapulisan at mamamayan, ang nagsisilbing pundasyon ng ligtas na mga komunidad, mas epektibong pagpapatupad ng batas, at mas inklusibong pag-unlad para sa bawat Pilipino (Stronger coordination between national and local governments, in partnership with the police and the people, serves as the foundation for safer communities, more effective law enforcement, and more inclusive development for every Filipino),” it added.
The new camp will serve as the headquarters of RMFB 9B, which is responsible for police mobile operations in Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, and Isabela City in Basilan.
The facility includes a four-story administration building, separate barracks for male and female personnel, a firing range, and other support facilities meant to boost the battalion’s operational readiness. It also has its own power house, an elevated water tank, a drainage system, an internal road network, and security guard houses to support sustained operations.
Marcos inspected several facilities inside the camp, including the cafeteria, conference room, lecture hall, offices, and detention center.
He also received a handcrafted Tausug kris, symbolizing the rich cultural heritage and enduring spirit of the Tausug people.
After the inauguration, Marcos proceeded to Camp Gen. Teodulfo Bautista in Jolo to visit the headquarters of the Army’s 11th Infantry Division.
During his Sulu visit, Marcos also launched the “Bawat Bayan Makikinabang: Sulu” program, which provided over P82 million in financial assistance to several barangays, 2,050 presidential scholars, and rice aid to around 3,000 beneficiaries.
Speaking before residents at the Sultan Jamalul Kiram Central School Gymnasium in Barangay Lawn in Maimbung, Marcos said the rice distribution and scholarship programs were funded through the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) and the Socio-Civic Project Funds (SCPF).
He assured residents that the government would continue expanding the program to reach more Filipinos in need.
From Sulu, Marcos proceeded to Zamboanga, where he turned over some P371.8 million worth of rice, barangay assistance, and scholarship grants to provinces under the Zamboanga Peninsula region.
Marcos reiterated the government’s commitment to uplift the plight of Filipinos as he urged local communities to relay their needs and concerns to the national government through local officials and the different agencies.
“Basta’t sinabi ninyo na kailangan ninyo ito at kaya namin ibigay, gagawin po natin. Asahan ninyo na ang inyong pamahalaan ay nandito, nakikinig sa inyo (As long as you say you need it and we can provide it, we will do it. Expect your government to be here, listening to you),” he added.
“Palagay ko maraming-marami tayong matutulungan, ‘yung mga naghihirap,” President Marcos said during the event at the Western Mindanao State University gym. “Bibigyan natin, matutulungan natin ‘yung mga may problema, at kahit papaano, maramdaman ang serbisyong ipinadala ng pamahalaan.”
The national government releases funds directly to local government units (LGUs) under the SCPF to speed up the implementation of government projects and ensure the timely and efficient delivery of local assistance.
Under the SCPF-Bawat Barangay Makikinabang Program, each barangay receives P200,000. Of the amount, P100,000 is allotted for education or scholarship assistance for five poor but deserving graduating students, while the remaining P100,000 is for locally identified projects.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said that as of June 25, the government had already released over P3.55 billion covering 17,769 barangays.
While in Zamboanga City, Marcos, accompanied by Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian, also launched the Walang Gutom Kitchen (WGK) in the city.
The kitchen serves hot meals for breakfast and dinner to families and individuals in street situations (FISS), as well as to anyone experiencing involuntary hunger.
During the launch, Marcos and Gatchalian handed out meals to beneficiaries and checked on their condition.
The WGK Zamboanga is the DSWD’s third soup kitchen in the country.