Zambales plays host to ELCAC session
Ebdane cited the need to have a better understanding and non-confrontational approach to harmonize efforts of the national task force and the local task force in ending communist activities
IBA, Zambales — The provincial government of Zambales recently hosted a virtual Barangay Levelling Session on the Localization of Executive Order 70 or the whole-of-nation approach to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC).
Zambales Governor Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. said that the discussion is focused on ending local armed conflict in the province and was attended by a total of 1,098 government officials which included members of the provincial, city, municipal and barangay ELCAC Task Forces.
The governor — who is also the Regional Peace and Order Council 3 chair — cited the need to have a better understanding and non-confrontational approach to harmonize efforts of the national task force and the local task force in ending communist activities down to the grassroots level.
“If I am not mistaken, there are actually 12 factors involved in counterinsurgency efforts, but of course, what we must first do is to understand the problem, come up with a right government response, which starts with good governance, and of course the whole-of-nation approach employing all government resources in resolving the problem,” Ebdane said.
“I believe that insurgency in our country is really a political problem that needs political solution,” he added.
Meantime, Department of the Interior and Local Government Provincial Director Armi Bactad noted the importance of levelling off with the local task force, adding that the approach is a whole-of-nation.
“It is not just the military or the law enforcement agencies who will fight communist insurgencies but all government instrumentalities including the barangay level,” Bactad said.
Topics discussed include the Communist Terrorist Groups’ Framework, Executive Order 70 and the 12 National Clusters Framework and the Joint Regional Task Force Undertakings, Concerns and Ways Forward.