STOP COMMUNIST RECRUITMENT, AVAIL E-CLIP AND APPLY FOR AMNESTY. National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) Dir. Arnulfo G. Bajarin appealed to remaining rebels to stop the recruitment of fellow Filipinos for armed groups and encouraged them to surrender and avail of the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program, as well as apply for amnesty. (Photo by TFBL Strategic Communications) 

National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) Director Arnulfo G. Bajarin appealed to current rebels to stop the recruitment of fellow Filipinos for armed groups and encouraged them instead to surrender and avail of benefits from the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) and amnesty being offered by the government.

"Doon naman sa nagrerekrut, tigilan niyo na iyang pagrerekrut ninyo. Maawa kayo sa ating mga kababayan. Maawa kayo sa ating kapwa Pilipino. Again, hinihikayat ko ang lahat na bumaba na, mag-surrender, mag-avail sa ating E-CLIP, mag-avail sa iba't ibang programa ng gobyerno na nakahanda na para sa inyo, at mag-avail sa amnesty program," Dir. Bajarin said during his recent guest appearance in the TFBL’s radio-television program, “Balik-Loob sa Pagbabago” which aired over DWDD (1134kHz) AFP Radio.

As the umbrella of government agencies mandated to implement the whole of nation approach to end local armed conflicts, the NTF-ELCAC is one of the steadfast partners of the Task Force Balik-Loob (TFBL) in implementing the government’s comprehensive reintegration program for the former rebels (FRs) and former violent extremists (FVEs).

 Dir. Bajarin lauded President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr’s timely issuance of a proclamation granting amnesty to former rebels (FRs) as the amnesty is one of the comprehensive moves of the government to finally put an end to armed struggle.

"Amnesty is very timely, dahil paliit na nga nang paliit yung lugar na kinikilusan ng mga [miyembro ng] Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) at nagbigay pa ang gobyerno." Dir. Bajarin elaborated. "Isa ito sa comprehensive move ng gobyerno para matuldukan na ang hidwaan ng NPA at gobyerno na walang saysay dahil ang natatalo ay ang mga kapwa Pilipino."

Dir. Bajarin disclosed that the task force plans to appoint Project Development Officers (PDOs) from each government agency to ensure the focused implementation and monitoring of the NTF-ELCAC projects.

“Ang intent is lahat ng agency na member ng NTF-ELCAC ay magkaroon ng PMO intended lang doon sa NTF-ELCAC programs, projects and activities. Ang purpose nito ay magkaroon ng focus. Kapag lahat ng agencies ay magkaroon ng Project Management Office (PMO) for NTF-ELCAC, napakaganda kasi mamo-monitor ang lahat ng programs, projects and activities ng national government, na ibababa niya doon sa barangay, kasi (mga) barangay ang makikinabang.”

The NTF-ELCAC director also highlighted the success of Barangay Development Program (BDP), the hallmark program of the task force intended to usherin development for former conflict-ridden communities. This year, a total of 864 barangays will benefit from the PhP2.5M budget recently approved by Congress.
 

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