Palace forms PH-wide task force vs Reds
Credit to Author: CATHERINE S. VALENTE, TMT| Date: Mon, 10 Dec 2018 16:29:59 +0000
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has formed a national task force to “end” the armed conflict with communist rebels.
Duterte signed on December 4 Executive Order (EO) 70, which institutionalizes “the Whole-of-Nation approach in attaining inclusive and sustainable peace, creating a national task force to end local communist armed conflict and directing the adoption of a national peace framework.”
“There is a need to reframe and refocus the government policy for achieving inclusive and sustainable peace by recognizing that insurgencies, internal disturbances and tensions, and other armed conflicts and threats are not only military and security concerns, but are symptomatic and broader social, economic, and historical problems, such as poverty, historical injustice, social inequality, and lack of inclusivity, among others,” the order read.
“The Whole-of-Nation approach addresses the root causes of insurgencies, internal disturbances and tensions, and other armed conflicts and threats prioritizing and harmonizing the delivery of basic services and social development packages by the government facilitating societal inclusivity, and ensuring active participation of all sectors of the society in the pursuit of the country’s peace agenda,” it added.
Under the measure, the national task force will provide an efficient mechanism and structure for the implementation of the Whole-of-Nation approach “to aid the realization of the collective aspiration of the Filipino people to attain inclusive and sustainable peace.”
EO 70 also cited the need to formulate a National Peace Framework anchored on the Whole-of-Nation approach “to ensure comprehensive orchestration of related peace efforts and initiatives of national government agencies, local government units and various sectors of civil society.”
This will include, among others, a mechanism for local peace engagements or negotiations and interventions that “is consistent with constitutional integrity and national sovereignty, responsive to local needs, and sensitive to realities on the ground.”
“Towards this end, the Government shall prioritize and harmonize the delivery of basic services and social development packages in conflict-affected areas and -vulnerable communities, facilitate societal inclusivity, and ensure active participation of all sectors of society in the pursuit of the country’s peace agenda,” it added.
Under the EO, the President heads the task force, while the national security adviser serves as vice chairman.
The task force will formulate and implement a whole-of-nation approach-driven national peace framework, in coordination with relevant national government agencies.
“Except for the private sector representatives, the members may designate an alternate, with a rank not lower than an assistant secretary, to represent their respective offices in the task force, provided that the alternate must be fully authorized to decide on behalf of the members,” the new order read.
“The private sector representatives with a term of one year each, shall be appointed by the President upon the recommendation of the task force,” it added.
Ex-rebels assured of assistance
The Department of National Defense (DND) on Monday assured former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) who have surrendered to the government of free legal assistance if they have pending cases before courts.
Reynaldo Mapagu, chairman of the Task Force Balik-Loob initiative of the government for NPA rebels, urged anew communist gunmen to return to the fold of the law.
He, however, clarified that the DND could not provide amnesty to those who surrendered, noting that only Congress has such powers to grant one. Pardon is a prerogative of the President.
Mapagu added that the DND was coordinating with Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) chief Persida Rueda-Acosta.
“As what we have been saying, it is high time that we end the communist insurgency because we are all Filipinos here and we should not be killing each other, we should talk and recover peacefully our differences,” Mapagu told reporters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
At the same time, the undersecretary said the government would not entertain attempts of the National Democratic Front (NDF) to discuss the resumption of peace negotiations with the government.
He said the goal of the Reds was to seize political power and there was never any real peace talks because the communists often committed ceasefire violations.
The former army general insisted on the localized peace talks, which is also the call of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and even Duterte himself.
Auxiliaries to receive financial support
The President also signed a measure providing financial support to members of Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit Active Auxiliary Service (CAA).
Members of the CAA are called to complement and support the regular forces of the AFP in dealing with internal and external security threats, as well as provide vital military intelligence, joint traditional and non-traditional military operations, secure conflict-affected communities and act as first responders during natural disasters.
Under EO 69, which was signed on Tuesday last week, duly appointed members of the CAA will receive P7,000 a month as compensation for the months of November and December 2018.
Those who are still in training will also be entitled to a prorated portion of the support upon their completion of the training.
“There is a need to provide financial support to members of the CAA units, in recognition of the invaluable assistance they provide to the AFP in dealing with security threats, their indispensable service in maintaining local peace and order and meeting local insurgencies and the faithful performance of their duties, which they carry out at great risk to themselves and their families,” the order read.
The funding will be sourced from the 2018 Contingent Fund.
WITH DEMPSEY REYES AND RALPH U. VILLANUEVA
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