CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)--Regardless of race, religion, culture, and political beliefs, the celebration of National Peace Consciousness Month is a way of instilling greater awareness, understanding, and promoting a culture of peace and a way to highlight the government's efforts to attain peace.

In the Talakayan sa PIA media forum, September 20, at SM CDO Downtown Premier, Police Major Joann Navarro, spokesperson for PNP-10, shared that peace is very achievable.

"We do not consider nga it is elusive ang peace [peace is elusive], actually it is very achievable on the part nga kung adunay pagkahiusa, pagtinabanga ug pagnirespetuhay sa usag usa [if there is unity, cooperation, and respect for each other], peace is very achievable," she said.

The PNP plays a big role in terms of promoting peace, Navarro added.

The PNP is relentless and continuous in its awareness campaigns through pulong-pulong (forum), barangay visitation, posting of social media through organizing groups, establishing partnerships and linkages with non-government units, and other civil society groups.

Crime rate for Nomin has decreased

For the month of August, compared to the previous months this year, PNP-10 recorded 558 crime incidents; meanwhile, the month of March recorded the highest crime index this year with 773 crime incidents.

In terms of insurgency, programs such as the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) continue, where former rebels are urged to return to the government and provide them with livelihoods and other benefits.

A total of 172 New People Army (NPA) rebels surrendered for the month of September. Meanwhile, 111 of these surrendered various weapons. Further, about 44 rebels were arrested, while 12 weapons were confiscated.

Uniqueness of Normin

Navarro shared, "Daghan kita lain-lain nga culture, lahi-lahi atong mga beliefs, perspective, lahi-lahi atong religion, if we will fulfill nga adunay pag nirespetuhay, I believe nga ang kalinaw, atoang makab-ot na gyud [We have so many different cultures; we have different beliefs and perspectives; we have different religions; if we fulfill the conditions where we can respect each other, I believe that peace can be really achieved]." (JMOR/PIA-10)