Bangsamoro autonomous region held orientation of EO No.70

July 19, 2019

The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and a regional task force to end fighting with the New People's Army held an orientation on Executive Order No. 70 Thursday, the Department of National Defense ( DND) said Friday. 

The executive order, signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on Dec 4 2018, created the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict. The Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) is part of the national task force.

Arsenio Andolong, Department of National Defense (DND) spokesman said the orientation was held at the 6th Infantry Division Headquarters in Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.

Andolong said Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, the designated Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security of the BARMM. attended the event.

"Secretary Lorenzana was joined by Defense Undersecretary for Defense Operations Cesar Yano and Bangsamoro ministers and heads of agencies led by BARMM Chief Minister Murad Ebrahim, Bangsamoro Parliament leadership, committee chairs and vice-chairs, governors and mayors of BARMM provinces and cities, and representatives from regional planning and development agencies such as the Mindanao Development Authority and Southern Philippines Development Authority, and AFP and PNP commanders," he said.

"According to Secretary Lorenzana, the undertaking is important in aligning and fortifying all peace efforts in the region with the national peace, security and development agenda," he added.

Andolong said in his remarks, Lorenzana emphasized that the "armed conflict is not only a military concern".

He said Lorenzana explained that “central to the national peace agenda is the strong belief that the armed conflict is not only a military and security concern as it is deeply rooted on broader social, economic and historical injustices."

"It is only through social healing, reconciliation, and national unity that we can finally end armed conflict that has brought death and extreme suffering to our brothers and sisters – regardless of religion, ethnicity, creed and political belief," Lorenzana said. Robina Asido/DMS