Duterte call for AFP to play vital role in gov’t reiterates current function

July 29, 2020

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Tuesday said President Rodrigo Duterte’s call for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to play a vital role in the government is a reiteration and emphasis of their current function

“We understand that the President did not mean the AFP would take part in the day-to-day management of the LGUs. Rather, the AFP with its nationwide deployment is in a position and an ideal partner of the other line agencies and LGUs in the delivery of basic services, and in the implementation of development projects,” Lorenzana said in a statement.

“However, the AFP has long been performing this function,” he added.

Lorenzana said Army commanders are members of the Regional Peace and Development Councils and participate in crafting of policies and programs to improve security and implement development programs.

Lorenzana said this function was enhanced by Duterte's issuance of Executive Order 70 in December 2018.

EO 70 aims to “institutionalize the whole-of-nation approach in attaining inclusive and sustainable peace” that would allow countryside development.

EO 70 provided for the creation of the National Task Force to End the Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) with Duterte as the chairman.

“The National Task Force is composed of all government line agencies and the LGUs. The AFP performs an important role in the NTF because it has the manpower and equipment that could easily be mobilized to implement the projects of the NTF ELCAC,” Lorenzana said.

Regional task forces were created that included regional offices of line agencies and the LGUs.

“While NTF-ELCAC main focus is on ending the communist insurgency it also devotes a lot of its efforts to partnering with the LGUs to bring development to the countryside,” he said.

“The call, therefore, for the AFP to play a vital role in governance is a reiteration and emphasis of the AFP’s current function,” Lorenzana added. Ella Dionisio/DMS