Kidapawan eyes special armed group vs rebels, terrorists

KIDAPAWAN CITY, Philippines  --- The city government is looking  to allocate P3.5 million for the creation of a military-controlled special militia group to help local authorities secure strategic areas from attacks by terrorists and communist rebels.

Mayor Joseph Evangelista, chairman of the inter-agency Kidapawan City Peace and Order Council, said he is in favor of organizing a Special Civilian Active Auxiliary (SCAA) to help the police and the military maintain peace and order here.

Members of the city peace and order council unanimously approved, during a meeting last week, the planned creation of a SCAA for Kidapawan City, to be comprised of no less than 200 members.

The group is to be placed under the control of the anti-crime Task Force Kidapawan, which is led by the Army’s 57th Infantry Battalion.

Evangelista said the SCAA will also engage, under the supervision of local authorities, in tactical activities to protect civilians from criminals and lawless groups.

“This group will be a big help to our efforts of addressing domestic security threats,” Evangelista said.