Kalinaw News: RTF-ELCAC in Bicol Region Humbled by Recognition of WONA’s Accomplishments during SONA

Posted to the Kalinaw News Website (Jul 30, 2021): RTF-ELCAC in Bicol Region Humbled by Recognition of WONA’s Accomplishments during SONA



CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, Pili, Camarines Sur – The Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) also known as Task Force Katuninongan asin Kauswagan expressed its gratitude to President Rodrigo Duterte for recognizing the significant contributions of the security sector in the administration’s all-out war against communist insurgency.

It stressed that the progress made by the Whole-of-Nation Approach (WONA) is the fruit of every Filipino’s desire, persistence, and genuine commitment to propel the country towards lasting peace and sustainable human and economic development.

In Bicol alone, various development projects beneficial to the local populace, especially in conflict-affected areas were rolled out under RTF-ELCAC.

Just last June 24, a groundbreaking ceremony was conducted for the local access roads in Barangay San Pascual and Sta. Cruz in Casiguran, Sorsogon.

Moreover, since its creation, two halfway houses for Former Rebels (FRs) were already constructed, one in Camarines Norte and one in Sorsogon. The first halfway house was built in Masbate province.

RTF-ELCAC’s programs including the regionwide Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP) and the Army’s Community Support Program (CSP) also reduced CTG’s influence in communities evident in the continuous massive surrender of the terrorist group’s members and supporters. For the past one year, at least a thousand of them returned to the folds of the law, biggest of which were the 505 surrenderers from June 18-28 in Masbate. A considerable number of firearms were also turned in to the government.

Peace and indignation rallies to denounce CTG’s terrorism staged by Bicolanos clamoring for a more peaceful Bicol are also consistent while Alsa Masa communities continue to increase along with the number of barangays and municipalities declaring the CTG as persona non-grata.

Meanwhile, Joint Task Force (JTF) Bicolandia under Major General Henry A Robinson Jr PA, one of the active members of the Task Force as well as the Police Regional Office 5 (PRO-5) headed by Police Brigadier General Jonnel C Estomo have intensified their joint operations that crippled the CTG by dismantling four of its priority guerilla fronts.

Furthermore, from July 2020 to date, government troops were able to initiate a total of 51 engagements resulting in the killing of 38 communist NPA terrorists (CNTs), capture of 15 others, arrest of 33 more and seizure of 82 high-powered firearms and 102 low-powered firearms.

RTF-ELCAC which is headed by Usec. Marvel Clavecilla, Adviser for Bicol Affairs, is very grateful that the Administration appreciates its persistent effort and campaign to end communist insurgency.

It also underscores that all the triumphs attained by the Task Force are results of collaborative efforts to uplift the living condition of the Bicolanos by efficiently delivering basic goods and services, promote good governance and consistently raise the standards of peace, security and stability in Bicol.

JTF Bicolandia, on the other hand, assures the Bicolanos of its relentless pursuit of peace and progress for the region’s future generation.

It can be recalled that during his last SONA, President Duterte made mention of the Army and PNP’s accomplishments in addressing all kinds of threats in the country’s democratic institution.

He also highlighted the efforts of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) to empower the Filipinos and build a safe and conflict-resilient communities by investing on farm-to-market roads, school buildings, water and sanitation, health stations, and livelihood.

[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/rtf-elcac-in-bicol-region-humbled-by-recognition-of-wonas-accomplishments-during-sona/