Cotabato City-Cotabato provincial governor Jesus Sacdalan presses the need for the members of civilian volunteer organizations (CVOs) in the province to undergo retraining.
The governor said he is closely coordinating with the 6th infantry division of the Philippine army for the conduct of a refresher course for all the civilian volunteers in the province following the attack recently on a CVO outpost in Makilala town by the New Peoples Army (NPA).
One CVO was reportedly killed and the NPA rebels carted away several high-powered firearms as a result of the incident.
As partners of the police and military in law enforcement, and in the campaign against lawlessness and other forms of criminalities, Sacdalan said it is imperative that civilian volunteers are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills and develop the right attitude.
The local chief executive also sees the need for the assignment and deployment of the civilian volunteers in their areas of origin for them to be more effective and efficient in the performance of their duty
They are not only familiar with the terrain in their own areas but with but other barangay residents as well, the governor said.
Sacdalan also noted the importance for the volunteers to be with their respective families, giving them the opportunity to engage in other livelihood activities to augment family income since they don’t receive regular salaries but only get a meager allowance. (PBC/RICC Cotabato City)
