Defense dept. supports Lopez's commitment to protect environment

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 22): Defense dept. supports Lopez's commitment to protect environment

The defense department has expressed strong support for Environment Secretary Gina Lopez's steadfast commitment to the genuine protection of the environment and the promotion of sustainable development in the Philippines.

"The Department of National Defense (DND) welcomes all initiatives that will help uplift the lives of our countrymen and bring livelihood to our communities. In fact, the main goal of our Philippine Defense Transformation Roadmap 2028 is the attainment of a more credible defense posture that will lead to national development," Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said in a statement Saturday.

While waiting for official communications on how the DND could help the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) establish “E3 (ecological, economic, and educational) Zones” across the country, the defense chief urged Lopez to encourage her "friends" from the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) to take this chance to lay down their arms, stop all their criminal and terrorist activities and become legitimate citizens of the Philippines.

"Kung gusto talaga tumulong ng CPP-NPA, bitawan na nila ang kanilang mga armas, itigil ang extortion, at magbalik-loob na sa lipunan (If the CPP-NPA truly wants to help, they should lay down their arms, stop the extortion, and return to mainstream society)," Lorenzana added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=981736