stakeholders converge: End to communist armed conflict seen

PARTNERS. Member-agencies convene during the meeting on Localized Peace Engagement , E-CLIP and Amnesty Program - Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) at RJs Cafe, Villa Caceres Hotel, Naga City. LSM-PIAV/Camarines Sur

NAGA CITY --- Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Regional Office V, recently convened its partner government agencies for them to take active role in ensuring that local peace efforts will be carried out, particularly in the countryside.

The meeting, spearheaded by DILG Regional Director Atty. Anthony C. Nuyda, also the concurrent chairperson of the Localized Peace Engagement, E-CLIP and Amnesty Program - Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC), aims to institutionalize the “Whole of Nation” approach to attain inclusive and sustainable peace in the country.

The meeting is in compliance with Executive Order No. 70 entitled: “Institutionalizing the Whole-of-Nation Approach in attaining inclusive and Sustainable Peace, Creating a National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict” signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on Dec. 4, 2018.

Held July 31, this year, at the Villa Caceres Hotel here, the discussion centered on attaining a lasting peace agreement with local armed groups that genuinely desire peace and are willing to be re-integrated to the mainstream of society. As such, member–agencies were expected to provide an efficient structure and mechanism to attain this goal.

9th Infantry (SPEAR) Division Commander, MGen. Fernando Trinidad, sitting as Vice Chairman of Localized Peace Engagement, E-CLIP and Amnesty Program - RTF-ELCAC stressed the importance of collaboration among government agencies to attain the mission of ELCAC and eventually convince our “lost” brothers to return to the fold of the law.

“I think we should not limit our membership in this cluster. Let us enjoin other agencies that can help us attain our mission of bringing peace in the countryside and eventually end this local conflict, “Trinidad said.

He added that “The problem of insurgency can not only be solved by the Philippine Army alone, as this is a collaborative effort of other agencies but rest assured that the army will be in the forefront in enforcing laws and facilitate activities that will lead us to the attainment of peace,”

All these efforts are geared towards the accomplishment of PRRD’s directive to craft a concrete program for former NPA rebels that covers shelter, employment and livelihood with an effective monitoring and evaluation system.”

PEACEFUL SOLUTION. MGen. Fernando Trinidad presiding over the meeting.