This study assessed the capability of CIDG-Calabarzon in preventing and countering violent extremism and insurgency in the aspects of proactive detection, legal offensive strategies, investigate innovations and collaborative actions. It also identified the problems affecting the capability of CIDG-Calabarzon and the proposed measures to address these. Inputs were also asked in order to come up with an Action Plan for this action research.
To answer the questions, the authors conducted interviews among 31 CIDG personnel in Calabrazon and to 205 community members composed of BINs, BPATs and CIS of Cavite, Laugana, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon.
The capability of CIDG Calabarzon in preventing in preventing and countering violent extremism and insurgency was effective due to use of new technology in proactive detection, prompt custody and detention of the arrested terrorists and insurgent criminals in legal offensive strategies, quick response to crime scenes in innovative investigations and coordinating with educational institution in collaborative actions.
There were problems besetting the capability of CIDG Calabarzon such as lack of personnel, limited specialized training for legal offemsive and for crime-scene investigation related to terrorism and insurgency, and limited coordination with the local government officials and other stakeholders for the issue on violent extremism and insurgency.
To address these problems of CIDG-Calarbarzon, measures through the Action were proposed such as training BINS, training CIDG personnel for legal offensive strategies, specialized crime scene investigation training and collaborative action to the community by CIDG personnel.
Based on the findings of the study, the following conclusions were drawn:
The capability of the CIDG-Calabarzon was deemed effective in preventing and countering violent extremism and insurgency. However, there were issues in detecting the suspected terrorist and insurgents, limited training and equipage and irregular coordination with concerned institutions . The CIDG- Calabarzon needed to address glaring issues in personnel capacity for detection, legal offensive, crime scene investigation and collaborative actions. Measures to address the problems affecting the capability of the CIDG-Calabarzon in preventing and countering violent extremism and insurgency need not only organizational upgrade but also help from the local government units and other stakeholders. The action plan proposed to address the concerns of this action research needed immediate attention and action. The components were based on the major weakness, problems and recommendations of the respondents.
Based on the findings and conclusions of the study, the following were recommended: the need to strengthen the detection capability of CIDG-Calabarzon must be prioritize. Aside from filling-up all personnel items, the unit needs also to cultivate groups that can help it in detecting terrorists andinsurgents. Aside from BPATs and BINs, the CIDG-Calabarzon cal also tap groups of different sectors such as business, media, transport, religious and other community-based organizations. It is proposed for the CIDG-Calabarzon to pursue cases related to violent extremism and insurgency such as murder, arson and illegal possession of firearms. There is need to pressure these groups in order to build deterrence of their violent extremists’ acts. Investigation pertaining violent extremism and insurgency must be conducted among CIDG personnel aside from basic investigation courses. Formulating policies against violent extremism and insurgency must be coordinated between CIDG-Calabarzon and local government units and all sectors concerned. The Action Plan and Project was entitled “ Enhancing the Capability of CIDG-Calabarzon in Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism and Insurgency”.