Mindanaotoday.com | 103rd Brigade sees critical role of religious, traditional leaders in ending violent extremism
By: Claire Gigje
MARAWI CITY – Broadening its lens to have a bigger picture of the security situation of Lanao del Sur, the 103rd Infantry Brigade magnified the crucial role of the religious and traditional leaders in the pursuit of putting an end to violent extremism.
103rd Infantry Brigade Deputy Commander Col. Billy Dela Rosa explained that the religion is being misused as a platform for local terrorist groups and other violent extremists, including the Dawlah Islamiya – Maute Group (DI-MG) in expanding their activities.
Seeing ideologies wrongly founded by religion, he stressed that it is only necessary for the traditional and religious leaders to be their partners in the conduct of the Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE) Program in the province.
“For now, we are continuing the strengthening of the organization of our religious and traditional leaders as our partner in the conduct of PCVE in the province of Lanao del Sur. We need to strengthen this organization purposely to provide third-party narratives and counter the recruitment of the DI-Maute Group,” said Dela Rosa.
“If tayo lahat ay susuporta sa organization, magiging resilient tayo against the threat of the [DI-Maute] group,” said Dela Rosa.
[If all of us will support the organization, we will be resilient against the threat of the [DI-Maute] group.] (CRG | PIA-10 | Lanao del Sur)
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