TAGUM CITY, (July 16) — Davao del Norte Governor Edwin Jubahib wants to adopt a framework for a localized peace talks with the communist insurgents.
During the launching of the Davao del Norte Local Peace Engagement Framework on Monday, Jubahib said there is a need to strengthen efforts in addressing the communist insurgency problem.
Jubahib, who led the launching together with military officials and other local partners, said the localized peace effort is in line with President Rodrigo Duterte‘s call for local government units to play a more active role in institutionalizing the “whole-of-nation” approach contained in Executive Order No. 70.
EO 70 seeks to end the communist insurgency through inclusive, participatory initiatives among government agencies and local partners.
In creating its own “whole-of-province” approach, Jubahib said the provincial government aims to address root causes of the insurgency, as well as harmonize the overall peace, development and security efforts in Davao del Norte.
The local framework, he said, will be simultaneously undertaken by the provincial government and its local partners, where it will spearhead the dialogue with the local units of the New People’s Army (NPA) while the local partners will lead the delivery of basic services to far-flung areas.
Jubahib said the localized peace framework aims to attain peaceful and developed communities.
“Instead of using firearms, why not talk to them and provide them livelihood?” the governor said.
Maj. Gen. Jose Faustino Jr., commander of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division, said the localized peace framework will be an effective tool in encouraging more NPA members to lay down arms and return to the folds of the law.
“We do the legwork but our competency is more on the security side. With this framework it will make our job easy to end communist insurgency,” Faustino added.
Based on its data, 10ID said about 7,000 mass supporters and NPA regular members have already surrendered in Davao del Norte and neighboring areas.
Jubahib said the localized peace framework will be presented to President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday (July 16), during the signing of the creation of Task Force (TF) Davao del Norte.
The governor said they requested President Duterte to create TF Davao del Norte to protect the province from groups and individuals that threaten the safety and security of the province. -PNA
