TASK FORCE VS REDS FORMED

A national task force has been created to put an end to the local communist armed conflict in the country based on a new order issued by President Duterte.

In Executive Order No. 70, the President will lead the task force that will craft and implement a National Peace Framework that will include development and peace-building initiatives in conflict-affected places.

The National Security Adviser will serve as vice chairperson of the task force with 18 top officials from government agencies and two private sector representatives as members.

"There is a need to reframe and refocus the government policy for achieving inclusive and sustainable peace by recognizing the insurgencies, internal disturbances and tensions, and other armed conflicts and threats are not only military and security concerns but are symptomatic of broader social, economic, and historical problems such as poverty, historical injustice, social inequality, and lack of inclusivity," Duterte said in the order.

EO 70 institutionalizes the “whole-of-nation approach” as a government policy in attaining inclusive and sustainable peace.

Under this strategy, the government will prioritize and harmonize the delivery of basic services and social development packages in conflict-affected areas, facilitate social inclusivity, and ensure participation of all sectors of society in pursuit of the country's peace agenda.

“To ensure efficient and effective implementation of the whole-of-nation approach, a National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (Task Force) is hereby created under the Office of the President,” Duterte said.

“There is a need to create national task force that will provide an efficient mechanism and structure for the implementation of the whole-of-nation approach to aid in the realization of the collective aspiration of the Filipino people to attain inclusive and sustainable peace,” he added.

The EO also authorizes the new task force to formulate and start implementing a National Peace Framework that includes a mechanism for localized peace talks within the next six months.

The framework must contain policies and programs that will bring "inclusive and sustainable peace and address the root causes of insurgencies, internal disturbances and tensions, and other armed conflicts." It must also be responsive to the local needs and sensitive to realities on the ground.