Kidapawan City, Cotabato — The Department of National Defense (DND) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) were directed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to intensify their support and cooperation in the disbandment of private armed groups in the Bangsamoro Region and other concerned areas throughout the country said Senior Undersecretary Carlito G. Galvez Jr., DND Officer in Charge, during a press conference organized by the National Task Force for the Disbandment of Private Armed Groups (NTF-DPAGs) in the Legislative Building, Cotabato Capitol Compound today.
“More than ever, the fulfillment of our mandate is now made more urgent with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to ‘dismantle private armies and identify hotspots where local officials are being attacked,’” Galvez said during the 11th oversight committee meeting of NTF-DPAGs a part of the government’s Bangsamoro peace process efforts.
“We are hopeful that our efforts and commitments under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro will pave the way for peaceful and violence-free communities,” Galvez, who is also the task force’s vice chairperson, added.
Secretary of the Interior and Local Government and NTF-DPAGs Chairperson Benjamin C. Abalos commended the task force for their swift response during the reported lawlessness in areas in Visayas and Mindanao.
“As we journey towards freeing the Philippines from its long-running gun culture, rest assured that the DILG stands ready to render any necessary assistance for the attainment of our noble objective. Let us continue working together in tearing down the walls of divisiveness and animosity of partisan politics as we move towards giving our kababayans the peaceful and thriving communities they deserve,” Secretary Abalos said.
Acting Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Secretary Isidro L. Purisima, likewise, expressed the agency’s steadfast commitment in helping create the conditions where a just and lasting peace can take root and flourish in the Bangsamoro.
“We will work tirelessly to ensure that the jointness and synergy of the efforts and the mutual trust developed between the government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front are maintained and strengthened,” Secretary Purisima added.
Sr. Usec. Galvez reiterated that the issue of private armed groups in the country was brought to the fore with the recent spate of violence against local chief executives. He assured the public that the DND and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), along with the PNP and all member-agencies of the NTF-DPAGs, remain committed to their mandate of eliminating peace spoilers to ensure that the people can live free of violence and fear thereof.
“We will act with utmost dedication to fulfill all the tasks necessary to attain that goal. To that end, we will ensure the security of the Bangsamoro region, especially its 63 special geographic areas,” Galvez concluded. (VICTOR BALDEMOR RUIZ)
