Countering terrorism — utilizing the NPOC and LEDAC
By FORMER PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT
“So, do not panic! So, honor our faithful, dedicated soldiers and policemen! So, choose democracy! Kaya natin ito!”…. — FVR, Manila Bulletin, 23 August 2009
WE OF THE PHILIPPINES DO NOT NEED TO BE REMINDED OF THE EVILS OF TERRORISM AND VIOLENCE. WE ARE A GOD-FEARING, PEACE-LOVING AND LAW-ABIDING PEOPLE. REGRETFULLY, HOWEVER, TERRORISM – TOGETHER WITH INSURGENCY, SEPARATISM, ORGANIZED CRIME, DRUG TRAFFICKING, AND MILITARY ADVENTURISM – HAS BESIEGED OUR COUNTRY FOR THE PAST SIX DECADES, AND DERAILED WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A PEACEFUL, LESS IMPOVERISHED, AND EVEN WELLDEVELOPED PHILIPPINES.
Terrorism, like Muslim rebellion and illegal drugs, has proven international linkages. Indeed, terrorism is a menace the world over. It destabilizes peace and order in many countries, as it undermines international stability. Terrorism is a strategy of the lawless and the mindless. It employs ruthless, extreme methods and is indiscriminate in its selection of targets, especially “soft” civilian gatherings.
The Davao City bombing last 02 September that killed at least 15 and wounded 71, has caused new problems for President Rodrigo Duterte and for our people – which means he should be helped more by concerned citizens because he cannot do everything.
INSTEAD OF SPECULATING, LET US HELP HIM FORMULATE WAYS – OR REVISIT “BEST PRACTICES” ALREADY IN OUR ARSENAL, SUCH AS THE NATIONAL PEACE AND ORDER COUNCIL (NPOC) AND THE LEGISLATIVEEXECUTIVE DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COUNCIL (LEDAC) – WHICH ARE BOTH DESIGNED TO MOVE OUR COUNTRY AND PEOPLE FORWARD TO A BETTER FUTURE. THESE MECHANISMS FOR INFORMATION-GATHERING, EXPERT CONSULTATION AND INTEGRATED PLANNING HAVE BEEN UNUSED OR NEGLECTED SINCE THE END OF FVR’S TERM. THESE PRECIOUS COORDINATIVE BODIES WERE VERY USEFUL DURING HIS TERM (1992–1998) TO PREVENT VIOLENT COUP ATTEMPTS, INDISCRIMINATE BOMBINGS, SYNDICATED CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES, AND RIOTOUS STREET DEMONSTRATIONS.
THE SPIRIT OF TEAMWORK AND SOLIDARITY PREVAILING DURING FVR’S TIME FACILITATED THE ATTAINMENT OF A PEACE SETTLEMENT WITH THE MNLF SECESSIONIST MOVEMENT AND THE MUTINOUS RAM-ALTAS MILITARY REBELS; AND THE NEAR-CONCLUSION OF THE CPP-NDF-NPA INSURGENCY IN 1998. IT IS NOW TIME, THEREFORE, TO REACTIVATE AND ENERGIZE BOTH.
THE NPOC AND ITS EVOLUTION THE NPOC WAS CREATED THROUGH EXECUTIVE ORDER 727 IN SEPTEMBER 1981 TO REPLACE THE POLICE ADVISORY COUNCIL (LOI 337, NOVEMBER 1975) IN ORDER TO STRENGTHEN OUR OVERALL POSTURE AGAINST THE MULTIFARIOUS THREATS TO PEACE AND ORDER WHICH REQUIRED THE UNITED AND INTEGRATED EFFORTS OF ALL OFFICIALS AND CONCERNED CITIZENS NATIONWIDE.
The Marcos NPOC’s initial members consisted of the Minister of National Defense (chairman); Minister of Justice; Minister of Local Governments; Chairman, Napolcom; CSAFP; CPC/DG, INP; Director, NBI; Director of Prisons; and one representative each from the academic, civic, and religious organizations.
The principal purpose of the NPOC then – and should continue to be – is the consistent teamwork of the so-called five pillars of the criminal justice system – the community, law enforcement, prosecution, the judiciary, and corrections.
EO 309 (1987) expanded the NPOC membership to 15 and designated the Local Governments Secretary as chairman, SND as vice chairman, and NAPOLCOM chairman as secretary-general. The new members of the NPOC were the DSWD Secretary; Press Secretary; Director, NSC; Chairman, CHR; Chairman, National Peace Commission; and Executive Director, Dangerous Drugs Board.
Cory’s EO 317 (1988) expanded the national membership to 23 with the addition of the DPWH Secretary, and DTI Secretary plus five more representatives from the private sector – youth, labor, legal, business, and media organizations.
ON THE OTHER HAND, EO 320 (1988) ESTABLISHED THE SPECIAL ACTION COMMITTEE WITHIN THE NPOC. STRENGTHENING
THE NPOC FVR’S EO 20 (1992) REFORMED THE NPOC MEMBERSHIP WITH THE ENTRANCE OF THE DILG SECRETARY AND DIRECTORGENERAL, PNP; AND MADE IMPROVEMENTS ON ITS OVERALL FUNCTIONS.
EO 366 (1996) expanded its national membership to 32 and fortified its security muscle by organizing the Barangay (Village) Peace and Order Committees with the following functions:
(1) Monitor and coordinate the implementation of peace and order programs at the barangay level.
(2) Serve as an informationgathering mechanism.
(3) Check and report the activities of nefarious elements.
(4) Identify constituents with strong deviant behavior for referral to appropriate authorities.
(5) Maintain continuing dialogue, coordination, and rapport with the higher levels of the POCs and law enforcement units.
(6) Formulate plans and recommend measures which will enhance peace and order and public safety.
(7) Monitor, coordinate, and supervise the operation of all community-based anti-crime movements within the barangay.
(8) Make periodic assessment of the prevailing peace and order situation in respective Areas of Responsibility (AORs) and submit reports with appropriate recommendations to the higher level POCs.
(9) Perform other functions as required by higher level POCs.
RE-ALIGNING THE NPOC AND NSC GMA’S EO 739 (2008) REDUCED NPOC’S NATIONAL MEMBERSHIP TO EIGHTEEN AND REPLICATED THE COMPOSITION OF THE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL (NSC) EXCEPT THAT, WHILE THE PRESIDENT CHAIRS THE NSC, THE DILG SECRETARY CHAIRS THE NPOC, WHOSE FUNCTIONS WERE REFOCUSED TO SUPPORT NSC STRATEGIES, PARTICULARLY COUNTER-INSURGENCY, BY CREATING THE REGIONAL INTERNAL SECURITY OPERATIONS CONVERGENCE OFFICE.
EO 773 (2009) increased NPOC’S national membership to 27 and reconstituted the members of subnational level POCs. The NPOC Secretariat was transferred from DILG to NSC, while those of sub-level POCs were retained by respective DILG offices.
OF THE ABOVE-DESCRIBED EXECUTIVE ORDERS ON THE EVOLUTION OF THE PEACE AND ORDER COUNCILS, EO 366 (1996) STOOD OUT AS THE ONLY ONE THAT REACHED OUT TO THE GRASSROOTS BY INVOLVING THE BARANGAY KAGAWADS (MEMBERS) AS INTELLIGENCE AND/OR OPERATIONAL ASSETS. IT WAS DURING THE FVR PERIOD THAT THE NATIONAL LEADERSHIP EXTENDED STRONG SUPPORT FOR THE UPLIFTMENT AND HIGH REGARD FOR THE WELL-BEING OF LOCAL FOLKS, ESPECIALLY IN THE RURAL COUNTRYSIDE, BY INVOLVING THEM AS COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS EQUALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR PEACE AND ORDER – LIKE SOLDIERS AND POLICEMEN – FOR THEIR OWN BARANGAY’S SAFETY AND SECURITY.
THE LEDAC (CONSULTATION AND CONSENSUS)
THE LEDAC (REPUBLIC ACT 7640) WAS AMONG THE FIRST LAWS DURING FVR’S TERM, ENACTED IN DECEMBER 1992. FVR CONVENED THE LEDAC EVERY WEDNESDAY FOR DIALOGUE/CONSULTATION LEADING TO EXPERT ADVICE/ CONSENSUS WHILE CONGRESS WAS IN SESSION – OR AN AVERAGE OF 30 MEETINGS ANNUALLY FOR FIVE YEARS.
Its declaration of policy provides: “The State shall formulate, after consultations with appropriate public agencies, the private sector and LGUs, socio-economic programs considering the requirements of ecology conservation, and in accordance with its constitutional mandate to promote a more equitable distribution of opportunities, income, and wealth; a sustained increase in goods and services for the people’s benefit; and expanding productivity as the key to raising the quality of life for all, especially the underprivileged.”
The LEDAC shall be composed of 20 members with the President as Chairman and the following as members: Vice President, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, seven Cabinet members designated by the President, three members each from the Senate and the House designated by the Senate President and House Speaker, respectively, and the following appointed by the President: a representative each from the LGUs, youth, women, veterans, academe, business, and other basic sectors. Its functions are to: (1) Recommend socio-economic development goals in formulating/ implementing national development plans.
(2) Provide policy advice to the President on vital issues affecting socio-economic development.
(3) Ensure that regional development plans/programs are integrated into national development plans.
(4) Receive/require reports on, and improve official development assistance from multilateral entities.
(5) Assess effectiveness of implementation of national development plans.
(6) Integrate environmental principles and practices into national development plans.
(7) Review the relationship of the legislative agenda to national development plans to ensure their integration.
(8) Recommend to the President and Congress sources of revenue and measures to reduce unnecessary expenditures so that resources are used optimally.
VITAL IMPORTANCE OF LEDAC AND NPOC
THE PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER (21 JUNE 2016) REPORTED HOW FORMER HOUSE SPEAKER FELICIANO BELMONTE JR. RECOGNIZED THE VITAL IMPORTANCE OF LEDAC IN NATIONAL GOVERNANCE AND DEVELOPMENT.
Rep. Belmonte lamented the number of vetoed bills that could have seen passage had Congress met more often with former President Benigno Aquino III under the LEDAC for a convergence of minds between the Executive and Legislative branches.
“Yes, I think he should have convened LEDAC more often, so that we can be more in tune with his thinking. There are good bills which we passed but it turns out they were not to the liking of his economic managers. More LEDAC meetings would have probably solved that,” Belmonte said.
NEDA serves as the Council secretariat. The law requires LEDAC to meet at least once every quarter, but may be convened by the Chair for special meetings, as often as may be necessary.
Per available records, President Aquino III convened the LEDAC only twice in 6 years – on 28 February 2011 and 16 August 2011.
TAKEN TOGETHER IN SYNERGY UNDER ONE CHAIRMAN/ COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF, NPOC AND LEDAC ARE TWO SIDES OF THE SAME COIN IN THE SAME WAY THAT ENDURING PEACE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ARE THE INSEPARABLE TWINS OF NATION-BUILDING WHICH MUST ALWAYS BE UNDERPINNED BY THE FOUNDATION OF SECURITY AND STABILITY.
THAT’S HOW IMPORTANT NPOC AND LEDAC ARE! KAYA NATIN ITO!!!
POST-SCRIPT – DON’T BELIEVE THAT FVR VISITED MAYOR DU30 IN DAVAO CITY 4 TIMES AND GAVE THE MAYOR “A THICK LIST OF DRUG LORDS.” NO WAY!!!
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