ZAMBOANGA CITY– Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Sec. Carlito Galvez, Jr. emphasized the need to actively involve the local government units (LGUs) as the National Task Force for the Disbandment of Private Armed Groups (NTF-DPAGS) held its 13th Oversight Committee Meeting this October 5, Thursday at the Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom).
Galvez, who is also the Special Adviser of the task force, said: “if the LGUs are not involved, mahihirapan tayo. Nakita natin sa Normalization process sa OPAPRU na kailangan i-localize ang approach. We have to involve the league of governors, mayors, and barangay captains.”
The chief peace adviser recounted how the localized approach successfully worked for different armed groups in provinces such as Abra, Masbate, Basilan and Sulu. In select provinces, Sec. Galvez also noted how they signed a peace ordinance with different key peace stakeholders such as the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Commission on Elections (COMELEC), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the Philippine National Police (PNP). He recommends doing the same when dealing with private armed groups (PAGs).
Sec. Galvez noted how the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) have also recently agreed to undergo the Transformation Process which also involves the registration process of their firearms. This is the first time since the 1996 Final Peace Agreement was signed that the group showed openness to the process.
He said: “we need to transform the culture and mindset of former rebels and their families in armed conflict areas. This is possible with the help of governors, mayors and other peace stakeholders.”
Special Assistant to the President Antonio Ernesto Lagdameo, Jr. congratulated the task force and expressed the support of the Marcos administration for the initiatives of the program.
“Things are happening after so many years. Ngayon, may light at the end of the tunnel. Everyone is working together and even the rebel groups and PAGs are now willing to talk with the government,” Lagdameo noted. “What is important is that we continue to communicate with them and continue our programs.”
Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos, Jr. who is also the NTF-DPAGs chair, shared that “nine out of the 37 PAGs in the area, 27 have already been neutralized and 250 firearms have been recovered.”
“Napakaganda ng pagsasanib pwersa ng lakas ng AFP at PNP at mga iba pang ahensya ng gobyerno,” Abalos said. “Let us work together so we can help this process move forward.”
For his part, Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, Jr., who is the Vice Chair of the task force, noted that “the AFP and DND collaborate with DILG, OPAPRU, and other agencies in order for us to have sustainable peace on the ground, which is imperative for the development.”
For his final remarks, Galvez expressed his appreciation and gratitude towards Abalos, Teodoro and Lagdameo for their guidance and support:
“We are very thankful na yung mga haligi ng ating pamahalaan ay nandito. Nandito si Sec. Abalos, SAP Lagdameo, and Sec. Teodoro. Maraming, maraming salamat sa lahat ng mga nagtaguyod na ating mga ginagawa para sa usaping kapayapaa,” he said.
