The city government of Zamboanga is said to be pushing for the urgent creation of a comprehensive security plan, according to Zamboanga Today Online.

Zambo Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar promised the “local government’s renewed support to peace-keeping efforts.”

The city’s comprehensive security plan was among the top agenda of the City Peace and Order Council (CPOC) in a meeting held last week.

Department of Interior and Local Government-City Director Mohammad Taha Arakama led a technical working group that was formed “to work on the consolidation and integration of the security plans submitted by the different police and military units.”

The mayor’s move is said to have come after Senior Supt. Angelito Casimiro assumed office as the new officer-in-charge of the Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) effective January 28. He is a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1988, and formerly served as Ifugao provincial police director.

“We are very thankful that Senior Supt. [Angelito] Casimiro is assuming as the acting City Police Director and our marching orders for him is to sit down with Task Force Zamboanga so that together with Regional Police Office and Western Mindanao Command, we will come up with a comprehensive security plan for the city,” Mayor Salazar said.

She also anticipates the “active participation of Casimiro in the crafting of the comprehensive security plan to help ensure peace and security” in their city.

She has also instructed City Budget Officer Virginia Gara “to prioritize the inclusion in the Supplemental Budget of the purchase of more vehicles for the police and Task Force Zamboanga for the conduct of regular patrols in both land and sea.”

Said to be the “priority thrusts” of the mayor are security and health and education.