Regional task force created to end insurgency in Reg. X
A “SUPER BODY” was created to synchronize and harmonize government efforts against the New People’s Army in Northern Mindanao.
The task force was officially launched during the Northern Mindanao Joint Regional Development Council (RDC)-Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) meeting on June 28 at the Kaamulan Open Theater in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.
The regional task force will oversee the implementation of President Duterte’s Executive Order 70 or the “Whole-of-Nation (WNA) Approach” to end local communist armed conflict in Northern Mindanao.
As early as March 2019, the National Economic Development Authority X, in partnership with the 4th ID, 403rd Infantry Brigade, DILG X, Balay Mindanaw, and stakeholders passed a resolution creating the task force.
Capt. Regie Go, the 4th Infantry Division spokesperson, said they will implement a strategy to address the root cause of conflict, internal disturbances, and other forms of
violence and armed threats through sustained delivery of basic services and social development packages.
The joint RDC-RPOC Full Councils Meeting was graced by the presence of the presiding officer, Sec Jose Ruperto Martin M Andanar, the Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security (CORDS) for Northern Mindanao together with Engr. Modesto Babaylan Jr. Co-Chairperson RDC-10, RPOC-10 Chairperson Mayor Oscar Moreno of Cagayan de Oro City. Also present were Usec Rufino S Lopez, Deputy Director and Chief of Staff, National Security Council (NSC), Asec Manuel Felix, DILG, Asec Lorenzo Clavejo, NSC, Lt Gen Felimon T Santos Jr, Commander EastMinCom, Dir. Mylah Faye Aurora B Cariño, NEDA-10, Maj Gen Franco Nemesio M Gacal, Commander of the 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division, Dir. Arnel M Agabe, DILG-10, PBGen Rafael Santiago Jr, RD, PRO10, Vice Gov Rogelio Quiño, Bukidnon and other Regional Directors of the different government agencies.
Mayor Oscar Moreno, during his message, emphasized, that the RPOC “is committed to do our job and our role in ending insurgency in Northern Mindanao. What we did is that we merged the two councils (RDC-RPOC 10), who with unity, will focus on peace and development because teamwork is what we need right now in order to finally achieve peace in the region.”
Maj. Gen. Nemesio Gacal, 4th ID commander, said, “This is an opportunity for all of us to move swiftly and effectively towards our collective goal of attaining lasting, inclusive and sustainable peace and development.”