CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)--As the Duterte administration comes to its conclusion with the upcoming change of administration from the 2022 elections, 4th Infantry “Diamond” Division Commander Romeo Brawner Jr underscores the importance of having a whole of nation in addressing the country’s insurgency problem in line with the president’s Executive Order (EO) 70.

“One of the root causes of insurgency is the non-deliverance of basic services to its constituents, kaya ngayon through the whole of nation approach, 'yung mga basic services katulad ng pagkain, tubig, bahay, kuryente, medical attention, at iba-iba pang mga kailangan natin ay mapaabot natin sa ating mga kababayan, through the NTF-ELCAC,” said Brawner during the CORDS-X Podcast with Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, December 4.

(So now through the whole nation approach, the basic services such as food, water, housing, electricity, medical attention, and the other things we need can provided to our people, through the NTF-ELCAC)

In complementary to the Armed Forces of Philippines’ (AFP) focused military operations against the  Communist Terrorist Group-New Peoples Army (CTG-NPA) to drive them away from conflict affected communities, the Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) initiative develops the said areas into resilient and sustainable towns through its Community Support Program (CSP)  and Barangay Development Program (BDP) by constructing connecting roads, infrastructures, and deliverance of basic services from the government.

“For the year 2021, we have identified 119 barangays, and for the year 2022, ay meron po tayo 160 barangays na cleared na, po, so these barangays are now ready to accept these BDPs natin,” he added.

(For the year, 2021, we have identified 119 barangays, and for the year 2022, we have 160 barangays that have been cleared, so these barangays are now ready to accept these BDPs)

Further, to ensure a safe and secure 2022 elections, the commander assured that they are always willing to intervene and investigate extortion activities from the CTG-NPA after receiving reports of “Permit to Campaign” and “Permit to Win” threats, offering to provide security from aspiring candidates during their electoral campaigns, especially in far-flung areas.

“Itong NTF-ELCAC ay napakaganda na programa, po, dahil itong programa na ito ay nagbibigay ng mga benepisyo sa ating mga kababayan lalo na sa mga malalayo na lugar. Sana po ay suportahan natin ito to put finality to the problem of local communist armed conflict,” he added.

(This NTF-ELCAC program is a wonderful program, because this program provides benefits to our countrymen, especially in remote areas. I hope we will support it to put finality to the problem of local communist armed conflict)

COVID-19 Protection

In line with the country’s goal of attaining herd immunity against COVID-19 contagion, Brawner said they are now moving towards full vaccination of all of their soldiers.

“We have 13,911 soldiers and CAFGUs in the 4th Infantry Division and as of now, 9,540 are fully vaccinated, we have another 3,724 who already received their first jab of vaccination, and kunti na lang 'yung natitira. Most of them are members of the CAFGU, iba't iba 'yung mga reasons nila on why they don’t want to be vaccinated, but we are continuously talking to them so that mabigyan sila ng mga bakuna,” he said.

(We have 13,911 soldiers and CAFGUs in the 4th Infantry Division and as of now, 9,540 are fully vaccinated, we have another 3,724 who already received their first jab of vaccination, and only a few remain. Most of them are members of the CAFGU, they have different reasons on why they don't want to get vaccinated, but we are continuously talking to them so that they can be given vaccines). (VPSB/PIA-10/ Misamis Oriental)