As a former soldier and peace adviser, Carlito G. Galvez, Jr, now the Officer in Charge (OIC) Senior Undersecretary of the Department of National Defense, emphasised that there is an alternative way to a lethal approach to resolving conflicts, and it is by peaceful negotiation.
With the success of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) by Task Force Balik-Loob (TFBL) and its partner agencies, Department of National Defense (DND) Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Senior Undersecretary Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. outlined the ways ahead for the Department and former rebels (FRs), or friends rescued, in working towards sustainable peace for the country.
Galvez said during his interview in the program “Balik-Loob sa Pagbabago,” aired over DWDD (1134kHz) AFP Radio, that to accelerate the transformation of FRs, E-CLIP should be further harmonized with the programs at the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU).
The former Presidential Peace Adviser also noted the importance of looking after those recipients who had already benefited from E-CLIP, while also focusing more on regions that needed more immediate services for the time being.
Let’s look at the assessment of our program. We need to assess what is the impact and the value of what we have given to the recipients, and what else are the things we have to do,” said Galvez.
Furthermore, the DND OIC emphasized that an exit strategy towards normalization should be crafted, saying that peace efforts for former members of armed groups paved the way for positive developments in the communities where they reintegrated.
As the country recovers from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Galvez enjoined Filipinos to unite and support mainstreaming local peace engagements and called on the remaining active members of armed groups to return to mainstream society and embrace peace.
The Defense Chief reiterated the government’s sincerity to help FRs and cultivate an environment conducive to stability and development for the nation.
TFBL is celebrating its fifth year anniversary since its inception on 03 April 2018. The Task Force is a product of the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Administrative Order (A.O.) 10 s. 2018, as amended by A.O. 25 s. 2020. TFBL is a coordinating body composed of representatives from several lead and partner government agencies that oversee the implementation of E-CLIP – a program that provides tailor-fit assistance to FRs reintegrating into mainstream society.
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