Tuesday, January 28, 2020

Feature: Firearms demilitarization, a giant leap towards peace

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jan 28, 2020): Feature: Firearms demilitarization, a giant leap towards peace (By Rachel Joy Gabrido)

“Today’s demilitarization of surrendered firearms is a giant leap towards our quest for peace,” Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año stated.

A total of 21 firearms relinquished by the former rebels who surrendered under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP) of the government were destroyed during the Ceremonial Demilitarization of Turned-in Firearms held at Camp Vicente Lim, Brgy. Canlubang, Calamba City last January 24.


Sec. Año joins the ceremonial demilitarization of the turned-in firearms from former rebels under ECLIP. (Photo by Joy Gabrido)

“No longer will these weapons be used to harm, threaten and extort the innocent and no longer their hands be tainted with guilt and blood,” he declared.

The DILG Secretary has once again commended Calabarzon for being the first region to establish the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) and for so far having provided 164 rebels with financial assistance under the ECLIP since the program began in July 2018.

Based on Administrative Order no. 10 series of 2018, which centralizes all government efforts for the reintegration of former rebels and creates an inter-agency task force, ECLIP is a complete package of assistance for the former rebels including previous members of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), New People’s Army (NPA), National Democratic Front (NDF), as well as the Militia ng Bayan.

“Being the government carrying the ‘Tapang and Malasakit’ brand in public service, the greatest gift we can impact to our people and the future generations is a peaceful and progressive life, however, the path to attain and secure this state is mingled with numerous challenges,” Secretary Año stressed in his message.

The ECLIP is part of the initiatives of the government to ensure the lasting peace and progress in the country by giving rebel surrenderers a chance to start a new life.

Addressing to the former rebels, he said, “Sana ang matatanggap niyong kapalit sa mga isinuko niyong armas ay magbigay-daan muli sa inyong pagbangon. Nawa’y kayo at inyong pamilya ay makapagsimula muli ng payapa.”

(“I hope whatever you would receive in exchange to surrendering your firearms will pave the way for all of you to rise again. I hope you and your family could peacefully start anew.”)

The DILG Secretary also expressed his gratitude towards the Armed Forces of the Philippines and other uniformed men who have been working intently to maintain peace and security in the country.

He likewise expressed his thanks towards the Local Chief Executives, and the Provincial and Local Government Units for taking the lead in the advocacy to end insurgency in the country which made the Calabarzon region a forerunner in establishing regional and provincial ELCAC.

“Sa atin pong mga ordinaryong mamamayan, nagpapasalamat rin ako sa inyong pagtanggap at pag-unawa sa mga nagbalik-loob nating mga kababayan,” he continued.

(“To the ordinary citizens, I also thank you for accepting and understanding our fellowmen who have turned back to the law.”)

Presidential Adviser for Southern Tagalog Sec. Dennis Hernandez, who also graced the ceremony, pointed out that the demilitarization of firearms is part of the campaign of the incumbent Administration to end violent extremism in the regions.

“Ito rin ang tanda ng pagtalikod ng ating mga former rebel sa buhay ng karahasan at pagyakap nila sa panibagong simula at pagkakataon na mapayapang makasama, mamuhay at aktibong makilahok sa pag-unlad ng ating bansa,” he stated.

(“This is also a sign of the former rebels’ decision to turn their back from violence, and to embrace a new beginning and the chance to peacefully live and contribute to nation-building.”)


Presidential Adviser for Southern Tagalog Sec. Hernandez delivers his message.

Model Regional Task Force

Sec. Año echoed the goal of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to eliminate local communist armed conflict within his term.

“I challenge the Region 4A to sustain the gains of last year and foster your ELCAC efforts so that the Regional Task Force 4A will be the first to finish or end insurgency in the Philippines. I know you can do this!” he remarked.

He said he believes that Calabarzon will succeed in this endeavor because the Powerhouse team is in this region.

“We will make Region 4A the model Task Force in defeating insurgency in the country,” the DILG Secretary pronounced.

He stressed that everyone has the responsibility to maintain peace which shall be passed on to the next generations.

“50 years of conflict is enough. We need to stop insurgency now!” he pronounced.

Meanwhile, Philippine National Police Region 4A (PNP 4A) Regional Director PBGen Vicente D. Danao, Jr. expressed optimism in the wholistic effort to defeat the Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs).

“With the creation of concrete programs under EO 70, we are very optimistic that we could address these lingering problems.”

The Executive Order No. 70 (EO 70), as defined, institutionalizes the Whole-of-Nation Approach in attaining inclusive and sustainable peace, creates a national task force to end local communist armed conflict, and directs the adoption of a national peace framework. (Joy Gabrido/PIA4A)

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