The Joint City Peace and Order Council (CPOC) and City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (ADAC) convened an urgent 2nd Quarter Meeting for CY 2026 on May 21, following the recent shooting incidents in Isabela City. The meeting was called by City Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman to strengthen security measures and intensify peace and order efforts in the city.
The meeting was chaired by Mayor Turabin-Hataman together with Basilan Governor Mujiv Hataman, with Vice Mayor Ar-Jhemar Ajibon also in attendance. Present during the meeting were local government officials, law enforcement agencies, barangay officials, and other peace and order stakeholders.
One of the key discussions focused on the proposed conversion of the Isabela City Police Station (ICPS) into a full-fledged Isabela City Police Office (ICPO). Governor Hataman shared that the proposal had also been raised during the joint meeting of the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) and Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PADAC), emphasizing that the upgrade would increase police personnel and improve operational capacity in addressing criminality and security concerns in the city.
The Governor also proposed the creation of a dedicated task force for Isabela City to strengthen law enforcement coordination and intensify security operations. He likewise recommended the formulation of a comprehensive security roadmap to guide the city’s long-term peace and order initiatives.
Additional measures discussed included the installation of more high-resolution CCTV cameras in strategic areas and the stricter implementation of the city’s CCTV ordinance. The council also proposed requiring establishments applying for building permits and business permit renewals to install high-resolution CCTV systems as part of compliance requirements.
Governor Hataman further urged barangays and HAPIFORCE members to reassess and strengthen existing security measures, undergo retraining in information gathering, and reactivate community-based intelligence coordination to support police operations. Authorities also identified the need for strategic deployment areas that would complement the mobility of Special Action Force (SAF) units.
Mayor Turabin-Hataman assured the council that the city government remains fully committed to addressing criminality and protecting residents, noting that the city’s existing CCTV systems are already equipped with high-resolution capabilities.
“Hindi natin hinahayaan ito. We are with the families of the victims, and we will do everything we can,” Mayor Turabin-Hataman said.
Meanwhile, Councilor James Abner Rodriguez reiterated the call for the conversion of ICPS into an ICPO, stressing the need for stronger action and benchmarking efforts after previous attempts were denied. He also requested the submission of a comprehensive localized anti-criminality action plan for Isabela City.
In addition, Councilor Rodriguez raised a proposed resolution seeking the enactment of an ordinance regulating the use of masks, caps, hoodies, and closed-face helmets in certain public situations to assist authorities in crime prevention and suspect identification.
The council concluded the meeting with a collective commitment to strengthen security coordination, improve surveillance systems, and enhance community-based peace and order efforts to ensure the safety and security of all Isabeleños. (Words by SJ Asakil/Photos by M. Santos, CIO)
