TVI-RD GRP To Extend Civilian Security

Sec. Jesus Dureza

TVI Resource Development Philippines, Inc. (TVIRD) and the Philippine government have agreed to turn over to a private agency and the Philippine National Police (PNP) the protection and security of the company and its host community in Canatuan, Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte – functions currently being handled by a Special Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) Active Auxillary or SCAA, which is under the control of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

The move is seen as a major step in the civilianization of security and peacemaking in Zamboanga Peninsula, a post-conflict zone in Southern Mindanao.

The detailed plans for the conversion, in which TVIRD and the Government are working together to bring to, and/or extend government services in a remote Zamboanga community, was communicated jointly to the community in a meeting on August 2, involving Secretary Jesus Dureza, Presidential Assistant on the Peace Process, AFP Western Mindanao Command Chief Major General Eugenio Cedo, and TVIRD President Eugene Mateo.

The formal turnover will take effect on January 1, 2008, the day after TVIRD terminates its Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the AFP for the maintenance of peace and order in Canatuan where the company operates a gold and silver mine. From then on, security in Canatuan will be handled by a private security agency, supported by an allied services firm, as well as by a permanent Philippine National Police (PNP) detachment. The private security company will be associated with TVIRD as one of the TVIRD group of companies, but operate under the supervision of the PNP.

The extension of the PNP jurisdiction to Canatuan for the first time will bring civilian police protection to the Subanon indigenous people so as to take land use and other conflicts into the normal resolution processes,” Secretary Jesus Dureza, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, said.

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