Approaching the halfway mark of President Duterte’s six-year term, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana highlighted the gains and plans of the security, justice and peace sectors during the third Pre-State of the Nation Address (SONA) Forum in Davao City Wednesday.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana (photo courtesy of the Office of the Secretary of National Defense) MANILA BULLETIN
Lorenzana, who serves as the concurrent chair of the national government’s Security, Justice and Peace Cluster (SJPC), stressed the commitment of the Duterte administration in defending the country’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and sovereign rights.
“We are enhancing our relations with all nations as we remain steadfast in defending our territorial integrity, sovereignty and sovereign rights. We have increased our defense and security engagements with international community in areas of defense logistics,” he said.
To address disputes, especially in the disputed parts of the South China Sea, Lorenzana said the Philippine government “continues to rely primarily on diplomacy.”
“We are sustaining bilateral consultations mechanism with China, with the latest meeting held on April 2 to 3 2019,” he said.
Along with this, Lorenzana boasted of the capability enhancement programs of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP).
In 2018 alone, he said that 25 projects were completed under the AFP modernization program pursuant to Republic Act 7898, and the first horizon of the amended program under RA 10349.
A total of 15 projects were completed for the Philippine Air Force (PAF) under the first horizon of the amended AFP modernization program; four projects each for the Philippine Army (PA) and Philippine Navy (PN); and one each for the AFP General Headquarters (GHQ) and for upgrading of government arsenal.
For the second horizon of the amended AFP modernization program, Lorenzana said 75 projects are laid out for the enhancement of the military’s capabilities.
“In the next few months and years, we expect the delivery of more planes to patrol our skies, more ships to defend our maritime domain, more equipment for our troops to monitor and respond to threats and better systems to quickly adopt to change,” he stated.
As for the Philippine National Police (PNP), Lorenzana said the PNP has procured various move, shoot and communicative equipment to aid in their anti-criminality campaign
From 2017-2018, the PNP acquired 85,000 additional firearms which increased the fill-up rate among cops up to 68 percent.
In addition, the PNP now has 181 new police stations across the country while 96 more stations were being constructed “to increase police visibility and better maintain peace and order.”
Higher pay for soldiers, cops
Lorenzana also cited the increase in the base pay of soldiers and cops in 2018 as one of the most important gains of the JSPC since it acts as a morale booster for the men-in-uniform.
“The President also considers the welfare of our uniformed men as one of his top priorities. Our men-in-uniform received higher wages in 2018, ranging from 20 to 100 percent base pay,” he said.
“Bilang pagpapahalaga sa serbisyo ng mga beterano, nadagdagan rin ang old age pension ng ating senior war veterans lalo na yung World War 2 veterans. Mula P5,000, ito ay naging P20K kada buwan sa bisa ng Republic Act 11164,” he added.
Furthermore, the Defense Chief said that thru various comprehensive social benefits program, beneficiaries of AFP and PNP personnel who were either wounded or killed while in the line of duty were given financial employment and educational assistance.
Drug war
However, Lorenzana admitted that the country remains to be imperiled by the menace of illegal drugs.
Citing data from concerned agencies, Lorenzana said 20,810 of the total 32,909 barangays across the country remain drug-affected.
From July 2016 to March 2019, he said law enforcement agencies such as the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), PNP, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and AFP conducted intensified operations which resulted to the clearing of 12,099 barangays (37 percent).
Further, 1,308,078 drug suspects have surrendered; 182,061 were arrested; 318 drug laboratories were dismantled; and P32.42 billion worth of drugs and controlled precursors were confiscated.
No data was shown as to the number of drug suspects killed but the PNP earlier disclosed that 6,600 suspects have been neutralized as of May 31, 2019.
Insurgency, terrorism
Aside from enhancing and improving the law enforcement capabilities and operations, Lorenzana said significant gains were also made in the pursuit of just and lasting peace in the country.
One example he gave was the signing and approval of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) on July 27, 2018.
A two-part plebiscite on January 21 and February 6 was conducted, and after getting a resounding “Yes” votes, the ratification of the BOL was held, which then paved the way for the establishment of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao or BARMM.
“It affirmed the creation of BARMM and marked the end of more than 20 years of armed hostilities and culmination of peace negotiations between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF),” Lorenzana said.
The successful ratification of the NOL started the transition from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) to BARMM and constituted the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) to srve as the interim government during a three-year transition period until 2022, Lorenzana said.
The BTA was headed by the MILF leadership and participated in by representatives of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), indigenous peoples’ group, women and youth sectors and communities.
For the first time in decades, Lorenzana said the country also witnessed the visit of Hadji Abdullah Macapaar alias MILF Commander Bravo to the Malacanang Palace in February 2019 to officially join the BTA.
Meanwhile, Lorenzana said that complementing the political legislative track of the administration was the implementation of the national government’s “Normalization Program” where 30 percent of all MILF combatants and weapons are expected to be decommissioned in 2019.
“This will be followed by two more phases for the next 35 percent and the remaining [35 percent] combatants and weapons to be decommissioned until 2022,” he said.
The Normalization Program aims to provide rapid delivery of assistance and intensified accelerated programs to help former MILF combatants, their families and other conflict-affected, poverty-stricken areas and vulnerable sectors.
“The government will continue to engage the MNLF in the remaining commitments under the 1996 Final Peace Agreement in compliance with the President’s desire to extend his hands in friendship and peace to MNLF chair Nur Misuari and ensure that the peace dividends of the new law benefit especially the island provinces of the Bangsamoro,” Lorenzana said.
As for the communist insurgency, President Duterte terminated with finality the peace negotiation with the communists in December 2018.
He then signed Executive Order 70, creating the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).
“It shifted from military centric to civilian-led approach in confronting the communist movement which entails interagency convergence and harmonized the delivery of government services to address the root causes of internal strife in conflict-affected and vulnerable communities,” Lorenzana explained as he encouraged communist rebels to give up their arms and be reintegrated with the community.
“Tayo po ay nakikipagtulungan para sa pagpapatayo ng farm to market roads, tulay, patubig, health centers at iba pa. Kasama na rin dito ang pagbibigay ng hanapbuhay sa mga dating rebelde at pagpapalawig ng kakayahan ng ating mga komunidad na masuportahan ang pag-unlad ng ating mga kababayan,” he added.
Through the inter-agency Task Force Balik-Loob, Lorenzana said they saw a “more effective” implementation of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
E-CLIP is a convergence of various government programs ranging from financial assistance, livelihood training, psychosocial interventions, and housing assistance among others to rebels who decide to give up their arms and return to the folds of the law.
Lorenzana said that within the year, the E-CLIP financial assistance will be provided to 37 provinces and highly urbanized cities across the country for the construction of half-way houses or facilities that would serve as temporary shelters for former rebels.
“We remain committed to ensure that no Filipino is left behind in our march towards prosperity. Peace and order are pre-requisites to development. Tayong lahat ay may bahaging dapat gampanan,” he added.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/07/17/lorenzana-cites-gains-plans-of-ph-security-justice-peace-sectors/
“We are enhancing our relations with all nations as we remain steadfast in defending our territorial integrity, sovereignty and sovereign rights. We have increased our defense and security engagements with international community in areas of defense logistics,” he said.
To address disputes, especially in the disputed parts of the South China Sea, Lorenzana said the Philippine government “continues to rely primarily on diplomacy.”
“We are sustaining bilateral consultations mechanism with China, with the latest meeting held on April 2 to 3 2019,” he said.
Along with this, Lorenzana boasted of the capability enhancement programs of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP).
In 2018 alone, he said that 25 projects were completed under the AFP modernization program pursuant to Republic Act 7898, and the first horizon of the amended program under RA 10349.
A total of 15 projects were completed for the Philippine Air Force (PAF) under the first horizon of the amended AFP modernization program; four projects each for the Philippine Army (PA) and Philippine Navy (PN); and one each for the AFP General Headquarters (GHQ) and for upgrading of government arsenal.
For the second horizon of the amended AFP modernization program, Lorenzana said 75 projects are laid out for the enhancement of the military’s capabilities.
“In the next few months and years, we expect the delivery of more planes to patrol our skies, more ships to defend our maritime domain, more equipment for our troops to monitor and respond to threats and better systems to quickly adopt to change,” he stated.
As for the Philippine National Police (PNP), Lorenzana said the PNP has procured various move, shoot and communicative equipment to aid in their anti-criminality campaign
From 2017-2018, the PNP acquired 85,000 additional firearms which increased the fill-up rate among cops up to 68 percent.
In addition, the PNP now has 181 new police stations across the country while 96 more stations were being constructed “to increase police visibility and better maintain peace and order.”
Higher pay for soldiers, cops
Lorenzana also cited the increase in the base pay of soldiers and cops in 2018 as one of the most important gains of the JSPC since it acts as a morale booster for the men-in-uniform.
“The President also considers the welfare of our uniformed men as one of his top priorities. Our men-in-uniform received higher wages in 2018, ranging from 20 to 100 percent base pay,” he said.
“Bilang pagpapahalaga sa serbisyo ng mga beterano, nadagdagan rin ang old age pension ng ating senior war veterans lalo na yung World War 2 veterans. Mula P5,000, ito ay naging P20K kada buwan sa bisa ng Republic Act 11164,” he added.
Furthermore, the Defense Chief said that thru various comprehensive social benefits program, beneficiaries of AFP and PNP personnel who were either wounded or killed while in the line of duty were given financial employment and educational assistance.
Drug war
However, Lorenzana admitted that the country remains to be imperiled by the menace of illegal drugs.
Citing data from concerned agencies, Lorenzana said 20,810 of the total 32,909 barangays across the country remain drug-affected.
From July 2016 to March 2019, he said law enforcement agencies such as the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), PNP, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and AFP conducted intensified operations which resulted to the clearing of 12,099 barangays (37 percent).
Further, 1,308,078 drug suspects have surrendered; 182,061 were arrested; 318 drug laboratories were dismantled; and P32.42 billion worth of drugs and controlled precursors were confiscated.
No data was shown as to the number of drug suspects killed but the PNP earlier disclosed that 6,600 suspects have been neutralized as of May 31, 2019.
Insurgency, terrorism
Aside from enhancing and improving the law enforcement capabilities and operations, Lorenzana said significant gains were also made in the pursuit of just and lasting peace in the country.
One example he gave was the signing and approval of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) on July 27, 2018.
A two-part plebiscite on January 21 and February 6 was conducted, and after getting a resounding “Yes” votes, the ratification of the BOL was held, which then paved the way for the establishment of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao or BARMM.
“It affirmed the creation of BARMM and marked the end of more than 20 years of armed hostilities and culmination of peace negotiations between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF),” Lorenzana said.
The successful ratification of the NOL started the transition from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) to BARMM and constituted the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) to srve as the interim government during a three-year transition period until 2022, Lorenzana said.
The BTA was headed by the MILF leadership and participated in by representatives of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), indigenous peoples’ group, women and youth sectors and communities.
For the first time in decades, Lorenzana said the country also witnessed the visit of Hadji Abdullah Macapaar alias MILF Commander Bravo to the Malacanang Palace in February 2019 to officially join the BTA.
Meanwhile, Lorenzana said that complementing the political legislative track of the administration was the implementation of the national government’s “Normalization Program” where 30 percent of all MILF combatants and weapons are expected to be decommissioned in 2019.
“This will be followed by two more phases for the next 35 percent and the remaining [35 percent] combatants and weapons to be decommissioned until 2022,” he said.
The Normalization Program aims to provide rapid delivery of assistance and intensified accelerated programs to help former MILF combatants, their families and other conflict-affected, poverty-stricken areas and vulnerable sectors.
“The government will continue to engage the MNLF in the remaining commitments under the 1996 Final Peace Agreement in compliance with the President’s desire to extend his hands in friendship and peace to MNLF chair Nur Misuari and ensure that the peace dividends of the new law benefit especially the island provinces of the Bangsamoro,” Lorenzana said.
As for the communist insurgency, President Duterte terminated with finality the peace negotiation with the communists in December 2018.
He then signed Executive Order 70, creating the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).
“It shifted from military centric to civilian-led approach in confronting the communist movement which entails interagency convergence and harmonized the delivery of government services to address the root causes of internal strife in conflict-affected and vulnerable communities,” Lorenzana explained as he encouraged communist rebels to give up their arms and be reintegrated with the community.
“Tayo po ay nakikipagtulungan para sa pagpapatayo ng farm to market roads, tulay, patubig, health centers at iba pa. Kasama na rin dito ang pagbibigay ng hanapbuhay sa mga dating rebelde at pagpapalawig ng kakayahan ng ating mga komunidad na masuportahan ang pag-unlad ng ating mga kababayan,” he added.
Through the inter-agency Task Force Balik-Loob, Lorenzana said they saw a “more effective” implementation of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
E-CLIP is a convergence of various government programs ranging from financial assistance, livelihood training, psychosocial interventions, and housing assistance among others to rebels who decide to give up their arms and return to the folds of the law.
Lorenzana said that within the year, the E-CLIP financial assistance will be provided to 37 provinces and highly urbanized cities across the country for the construction of half-way houses or facilities that would serve as temporary shelters for former rebels.
“We remain committed to ensure that no Filipino is left behind in our march towards prosperity. Peace and order are pre-requisites to development. Tayong lahat ay may bahaging dapat gampanan,” he added.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/07/17/lorenzana-cites-gains-plans-of-ph-security-justice-peace-sectors/
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