TFD implements new anti-terrorism drive

From the Sun Star-Davao (Oct 6, 2019): TFD implements new anti-terrorism drive

SECURITY forces, together with the City Government of Davao, launched on October 2 the Kalilintad 911 Program, a new anti-terrorism initiative in Davao City designed to track Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Marawi who are still in Davao City.

Task Force Davao (TFD) commander Colonel Consolito Yecla said that other counter-terrorism campaigns of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in Mindanao are undergoing a special intervention program from the Davao City Government dubbed as “Kalilintad 911 Program.” Kalilintad is a Maranao term for peace.

Earlier, there were a total of 207 IDPs who have completed the initial screening and social investigation to assess their general health and well-being while staying in Davao City for more than two years after the liberation of Marawi.

The launching of the program includes free medical and dental consultations including medicines and vitamins for IDPs. There were also food packs and school supplies given to the beneficiaries at the TFD headquarters. These IDPs were forced to evacuate after fighting erupted in Marawi on May 23, 2017.

“IDPs especially the orphans and widows are vulnerable to terrorists’ exploitation. The intervention program is necessary to prevent the development of home-grown terrorists or supporters in Davao City," Yecla said.

Following the directive of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, TFD together with the Davao City Social Services and Development Office (CSSDO) and Davao City Health Office (CHO) implemented this program to protect the IDPs from the influence of the terrorists.

During the activity, after assessing their situation through an interview and profiling, Commissioner Norman Baloro from the Office of the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP), who was present during the activity said IDPs will be first recommended to undergo the “Balik Probinsya” Program with transportation allowance from the city.

The “Balik Probinsya” Program will be given priority to reduce the number of IDPs in the city similar to the scheme implemented by Davao City for Super Typhoon Yolanda evacuees.

"In case there will be a sudden influx of IDPs (not in the original list) from other cities, they will be advised to return with an endorsement from the city. Other cities may implement the same scheme to complement the efforts of the government in Bangon Marawi Program. The rehabilitation program takes time. Other cities in Mindanao may look into the IDPs situation in their area to insulate them from the influence of the terrorist," Yecla said.

Yecla added that if it will not be feasible, the IDPs will be given the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) as an option while the qualified orphans of the war may be placed under the Educational Assistance Program. Other programs may include Assistance in Crisis Situation if necessary and inclusion in the Department of Social Welfare and Development's Listahan.

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1826373/Davao/Local-News/TFD-implements-new-anti-terrorism-drive