RPOC-12 holds year-end meeting, pushes for end to communism, terrorism
Peace and Order • 06:45 AM Fri Dec 27, 2019
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By:
Edwin O. Fernandez
North Cotabato Gov. Nancy Catamco stresses a point during the year-end meeting of Soccsksargen's regional peace and order council in Koronadal City on Dec. 26, 2019. (contributed)
KIDAPAWAN CITY – North Cotabato Governor Nancy Catamco has called on all members of the Soccsksargen Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) to fully support President Duterte’s desire to end communist-led armed conflict in the country.
Catamco has moved for the passage of a resolution expressing all out support to Pres. Duterte’s Executive Order No. 70, more known as the “whole of nation approach” in addressing communist insurgency.
Her proposed resolution was adopted during the year-end RPOC meeting held here on Dec. 26, the day the New Peoples Army (NPA) is commemorating its 51st founding anniversary.
The RPOC meeting was held while anti-communist groups held protest rallies against the NPAs operating in the Soccsksasrgen region.
Catamco said the RPOC and different local government units have been collaborating, pushing and implementing programs and initiatives in order contribute to the government’s desire of sustainable peace.
She said EO 70 had been reaping gains tremendiously, especially in North Cotabato.
“This EO 70 has been noted to have contributed significant changes in the security landscape in the localities and in the region as a whole,” Catamco said in a statement.
The resolution had been pushed by Catamco after the RPOC chair Gov. Suharto Teng Mangudadatu of Sultan Kudarat called for massive local initiatives in addressing insurgency and terrorism.
Governor Mangudadatu said that martial law must not be lifted in Mindanao.
“Martial Law is still effective in ensuring safety and it remained to be an effective tool initiated by PRRD to address insurgency and lawlessness in Mindanao,” Suharto said during the session.
Mangudadatu said Martial Law also helps address drug related concerns that emanate in Maguindanao and spread to Soccsksargen.
Catamco told the RPOC that in North Cotabato, 29 NPA rebels opted to surrender and were recipients of government livelihood assistance through the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
In attendance during the RPOC meeting were Western Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, 10th Infantry Division commander Major Gen. Jose Faustino Jr, 6th Infantry Division commander Major Gen. Diosdado Carreon and DILG 12 Regional Director Josephine Leysa.