Ilocos Norte sets up council to go after private armies

MANILA, Philippines – The province of Ilocos Norte plans to step up its campaign against private armed groups (PAGs) by converting its current task force to a permanent body.

A report by the Philippine Information Agency on Thursday, August 1, said members of the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) recommended in July the creation of a permanent provincial anti-partisan armed group council to replace the nearly two-year-old anti-PAG task force.

The proposed council would identify and prosecute PAGs, guns for hire, and other organized crime groups operating in the province.

Acting police provincial director S/Supt Gerardo Ratuita cited the need to institutionalize a body that will run after armed groups, noting that these are continuing threat in the communities.

“This [body] will be at the forefront of combating criminals,” Ratuita said.

Ilocos Norte was among the 15 provinces tagged as “areas of concern” during the May 2013 national and local elections.

A technical working group has been created to study the task force’s dissolution, according to task force chief and provincial administrator Windell Chua.

Ilocos Norte Gov Imee Marcos, the PPOC chairperson, expressed her full support for the proposal. She also suggested that a representative from the media sector be given a seat in the council.

From its creation in September 2011 to June 2013, the anti-PAG task force was responsible for the arrest of 25 most wanted persons in the province, said Chua. – Michael Bueza/Rappler.com

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