The military and the police in the region will conduct joint operations and implement security measures for the celebration of Hariraya Puasa today and Fiesta Pilar on October 12, 2010.

Brig. Gen. Eugene Clemen, 1st Marine Brigade commanding general, who is the concurrent acting commander of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao, presided a joint meeting last Wednesday to discuss security measures for both occasions.

The meeting was attended by the Directorate for Integrated Police Operations Western Mindanao Command represented by Sr. Supt. Francisco Cristobal, Task Force Zamboanga chief Col. Santiago Baluyot, a U2 Western Mindanao Command representative and Deputy Commander NAVFORRESCOM Capt. Jesus Milan.

In an interview, Brig. Gen. Clemen said the whole Mindanao is in full alert, but the general situation in the region is very manageable.

The military and the police have come up with a contingency plan for quick reaction and respond to any emergency call.

Clemen said that during the meeting, soldiers and policemen are directed to be extra vigilant and alert in the celebration of Hariraya Puasa today and tomorrow.

Military and police personnel were instructed to arrest people who will fire their guns during the celebration.

Clemen expressed optimism that after the sacrifices made during the Ramadan month, Muslim brothers are now ready to continue the efforts to attain peace and prosperity in the region.

Clemen appealed to all stakeholdersto help authorities fight lawlessness and criminalities.