THE military's Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) presented its priority programs and projects for the 2021 budget proposal of the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-Elcac) during its third regular meeting in Zamboanga City.
The Joint Task Force ZamPeLan, through Colonel Leonel Nicolas, Army's 102nd Infantry Brigade commander, proposed during the meeting Friday, February 28, the conduct of counter-insurgency programs benefiting youth leaders and former rebels in its operational area.
Brigadier General Bagnus Gaerlan, Army's 1st Infantry Division deputy commander, said the military forces have debilitated the Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee of the New People's Army (NPA) with the sustained offensives and community support programs.
Gaerlan said this resulted in "clearing the area (Western Mindanao) of the presence of Guerrilla Front Joji."
Other RTF-Elcac clusters presented their respective priority programs and projects for their inclusion in the 2021 budget proposal.
"We need to follow up and utilize our programs and plans for the benefit of the people. Let us work together to address issues and concerns, and we need the support of our civil society partners," said Social Welfare Secretary Rolando Bautista, the Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security-9 who chaired the third regular meeting.
The members of the RTF-Elcac also discussed the possible expansion of Executive Order 70 to cover the counter-terrorism campaign against local armed conflict.
"While the national level is deliberating on the said expansion, the military adopts two existing mechanisms in its campaign: the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program and the Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict," said Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana, Westmincom commander.
"We are working out towards the inclusion of our efforts against local armed conflict. We, however, face a bigger war on poverty. We must work for sustainable development and improve the economic aspect," Sobejana added, citing that "Executive Order (EO) 70 calls for a whole-of-nation approach. We should involve everybody, including the business sector because private companies create opportunities."
RTF-Elcac members also resolved issues concerning the implementation of EO 70 in Zamboanga Peninsula, including synchronization of projects and programs based on identified needs and dissemination of information to raise awareness. (SunStar Zamboanga)