By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Joint Task Force (JTF) Buglas met with Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr. yesterday morning, following the arrest of three individuals in Iloilo City allegedly linked to the Islamic State-backed Maute group.
Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator Ma. Lina Sanogal said the governor was briefed on the arrests and was updated on the security situation in the province. The Philippine Army, Philippine Navy, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and other law enforcement and civilian agencies were also in attendance.
Sanogal said, in response, the governor issued an executive order to gather input and suggestions on the proposal to add more agencies to JTF Buglas.
She also noted an anti-terrorism workshop will be held in Bacolod City next week, which will be attended by various law enforcement agencies and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
The event will be followed by an anti-terror summit in July, which will bring together members of the religious community, barangay officials, and the academe./WDJ