TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte — President Rodrigo Duterte commended on Tuesday the efforts of the Task Force Balik-Loob (TFBL) and local counterparts in addressing the country’s insurgency problem, even as he called on the body to “work doubly hard” to facilitate the surrender of more communist rebels.
Created by virtue of Administrative Order No. 10 on April last year, the TFBL is tasked as a central coordinating body to supervise the government’s reintegration efforts for members of the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
The TFBL is composed of representatives from the Department of National Defense, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, Office of the President, and the National Housing Authority, as well as other partner government agencies.
President Duterte said one of the government’s reintegration programs under TFBL–the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP)–has enabled the government and its partners to pursue “peaceful, inclusive and holistic reforms.”
The President was here to lead the awarding of housing units for former NPA members and to witness the demilitarization of surrendered firearms under the E-CLIP.
Duterte said since the beginning of his administration, various policies have been enacted to improve the lives of Filipinos “as well as those who have turned away from the government.”
The President also pointed out that the implementation of Executive Order No. 70 has helped the government’s goal to attain peaceful and developed communities.
EO 70 institutionalizes the whole-of-nation approach in addressing the root causes of insurgencies, internal disturbances and other threats by prioritizing and harmonizing the delivery of basic services and the government’s social development packages, facilitating societal inclusivity, and ensuring active participation of all sectors of the society in the pursuit of the country’s peace agenda.
“In the spirit of peace and solidarity, I look forward to having you as partners in creating a better and brighter future for all Filipinos,” Duterte said.
He also called on the former communist insurgents “to maximize the opportunity to return into the mainstream society by being responsible, productive, peaceful and law-abiding citizens.”
“Let us take this occasion as a significant step towards ending unlawful violence and strengthening our commitment in implementing progressive reforms,” Duterte said.
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