PCO ASEC. HIDALGO: Ladies and gentlemen, the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict or NTF-ELCAC. In the panel, we have Undersecretary Ernesto C. Torres Jr.; Attorney Leah Tanodra-Armamento, National Amnesty Commission; Bishop Noel A. Pantoja, Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches; Justice Angelita Miranda, Office of the Solicitor General and Lieutenant General Jimmy D. Larida, Vice Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

NTF-ELCAC USEC. TORRES: Magandang hapon po sa ating lahat. Unang-una, gusto nating magpasalamat sa ating mga kapatid sa media who stayed on until matapos iyong executive committee meeting that was held this afternoon here in Malacañang. Of course, thank you for staying here and for you to discuss with us a very important message to the Filipino people.

So, the executive committee of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) led by no less than our President as the chairperson, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, ably represented in this afternoon’s meeting by honourable Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin. We have just concluded the meeting, and we are here to present the key decision that has been approved for immediate implementation or review. So, these actions reflect and reinforce the government’s unwavering commitment to unity, peace and development in the eradication of local communist armed conflict through a whole of nation approach.

So, if I may give you a recap of what transpired in this afternoon’s meeting as the basis probably of your question to other panelist here later, first item is the oath taking of the new members or new Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security, member of EXECOM and the cluster heads. With the recent termination of a designation of some secretaries, cabinet secretaries, kailangan makapag-redesignate tayo ng mga Cabinet Officers for Regional Development and Security in five regions ‘no—four regions.

One is the DICT Secretary Henry Aguda was designated as CORDS for Region IV-B, while DPWH Secretary Vivencio Dizon as CORDS for Region IX in Zamboanga Peninsula, vice is Secretary Bonoan. We also have DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa as CORDS for Region X replacing Secretary Acuzar, and then we have DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel as CORDS Region XII replacing Secretary Yulo-Loyzaga.

And then additionally, the following also took their oath as new executive committee members: Secretary Maria Teresa Lazaro of DFA; Secretary Dave Gomez also of the Presidential Communications Office; Secretary Aliling of the Department of Human Settlement and Urban Development; Secretary Garin of the Department of Energy; Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartetez Jr. of the Philippine National Police; Chairperson Shirley Agrupis of the Commission on Higher Education; and Solicitor General Darlene Berberabe as EXECOM member.

And also Bishop Noel Pantoja, who is here with us this afternoon, of the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches as one of the private sector representatives of the EXECOM because in the organization of the NTF-ELCAC, we are allowed to have two private representatives ‘no. So one of those private representatives would be field in by PCEC, represented by its national director Bishop Noel Pantoja.

Also, the following official took oath as a cluster heads of the NTF-ELCAC, we all know that we have 12 clusters under the NTF-ELCAC, 12 different clusters and one of those is the STRATCOM or Strategic Communications Cluster. So, doon ang ating mga co-lead for that particular cluster would now be ADG Francis Jude Lauengco of the NSC and his co-lead would be, of course, Asec. Maria Ella Eduardo Clark of PCO.

Also, as the new lead of the SUCBEM cluster, which Is Sectoral Unification Capacity Building, Empowerment and Mobilization cluster ‘no, dati NCIP lang ang lead ng SUCBEM cluster but now it would be given to the NAPC (National Anti-Poverty Commission), of course, represented by Secretary Lopez Santos III. Also, Chairperson Marie Grace Pascua of the NCIP took her oath as the co-head of the SUCBEM cluster; and lastly Assistant Secretary Elmer Cato of the Department of Foreign Affairs took his oath as the head of the International Engagement Cluster, another of the 12 clusters of the NTF-ELCAC.

So, if may give a rundown of what transpired and then probably, iyong mga areas of concern ng other panelist, you can just direct the question to them later on. For instance, the next item is the recommendation to extend the amnesty program because we all know that its termination will be March 13 of 2026. So, there was a recommendation to extend that to March 13, 2028. However, its approval was held in abeyance pending further review of the Office of the President, so that’s the status on that.

Now, we also discussed the bill that was filed recently, Senate Bill number 1366 and I’m referring to the Terror Grooming Prevention Act. So, the EXECOM expressed support to the passage of the Terror Grooming Prevention Act because this will strengthen our preventive mechanism against radicalization, recruitment and indoctrination, especially among the youth and vulnerable sectors of our society.

So, as I’ve mentioned earlier, this was already filed this month. I just can’t remember the exact date but I think it’s September 9 or 7 ano. SBN 1366 as a critical shield to protect vulnerable Filipinos, youth, indigenous communities and farmers from being exploited and radicalized by terrorist. So, this bill disrupts predatory recruitment that turns hardship into violence, empowers communities to reject manipulation and delivers justice and rehabilitation to victims, all while safeguarding legitimate dissent.

So, we believe, the EXECOM believes that every day without this law leaves our people exposed to terror network preying on their struggles. So, we actually commend Senator Bato dela Rosa’s leadership and urge all peace-loving citizens and lawmakers to support Senate Bill number 1366 which is a decisive step towards a Philippines where communities thrive and every child dream safely free from terror shadow.

So, another agreed upon action is the initiative to file a proscription case versus the CPP-NPA-NDF. So, concerned agencies will work on it for its realization. So, we recommend initiating legal proceedings to formally classify CPP-NPA-NDF as a terrorist organization.

So, we all know that at this point in time the CPP-NPA-NDF, these are designated terrorist organization under the ATA or Anti-Terror Act of 2020, but iyon nga, hindi siya proscribe. Maybe the legality of the terms of the proscription and designation will be further … could be further discussed later by Justice Miranda who is with us today.

And then there’s a manifestation also from the executive committee to ensure that the funding for the barangay development program which is ten million pesos per barangay, and we have earmarked 808 barangay for next year. So there is a manifestation that the amount recommended which is in the NEP which is 10 million per barangay would eventually be approved in the … would come out in the GAA.

And then, well some specific projects, big projects – actually beyond the Barangay Development Program on constructing farm-to-market roads in ten different regions were discussed and there are commitments to source out the needed funds for these very important farm-to-market projects. Well, in eight regions—correction ano, not ten regions—and these are in CAR, Regions I, II, V, VI, Negros Island Region and Regions XII and XIII.

And then, lastly, the last agenda item that was discussed, of course, this is not a very big project amounting to 30 million for the construction of school facilities in Pinukpuk, Kalinga ‘no in two areas – one is construction of three units one-storey two classrooms at Limos National High School, Pinukpuk, Kalinga and the multipurpose pavement with a stage and slope protection at Malaap Elementary School in Baay, Pinukpuk, Kalinga.

So, in a nutshell, in brief, those were the things that were discussed this afternoon during the executive committee meeting.

TUESDAY NIU/DZBB: Good afternoon po. Usec., sabi ninyo kanina may recommendation to extend amnesty program, ano po ang dahilan nito? Is it because na kakaunti pa lang iyong nag-apply as expected or target ninyo? Ilan na po ba ngayon ang mga nakapag-apply na for amnesty?

NTF-ELCAC USEC. TORRES JR.: Tuesday, may I direct your question to the chairperson of the National Amnesty Commission?

TUESDAY NIU/DZBB: Sige po.

NAC CHAIRPERSON ATTY. TANODRA-ARMAMENTO: Good afternoon, Tuesday, and good afternoon everyone. Ang initial number of expected applicants is 10,000. Then, at present, we have a total of 4,269 as of September 19. Then we got information from the Task Force Balik-Loob wherein they informed us that they have a total of 50,000 potential applicants and we have the remaining six months to receive the applications. So, we fear that there may be potential qualified applicants that may not be covered if the application will end in March 2026.

And then, there was a discussion why we are requesting for two years. The reason for that is that when a proclamation for amnesty is issued by the President, we have to ask Congress for concurrence. So if we want that, we only ask one more time from Congress so that it will be too much of an effort from the part of the National Amnesty Commission.

And also, the data of the OPAPRU on decommissioning, they have 40,000 decommissioned members of the MILF and MNLF which are also potential applicants for amnesty.

TUESDAY NIU/DZBB: So parang ano, ma’am, para mabigyan pa sila ng chance dahil maikli na iyong panahon na sa tingin ninyo hindi aabot iyong iba, tama po ba?

NAC CHAIRPERSON ATTY. TANODRA-ARMAMENTO: Yes.

TUESDAY NIU/DZBB: Thank you po.

RACQUEL BAYAN/RADYO PILIPINAS: Good afternoon, sirs/ma’am. Anyone can answer. Regarding po doon sa proscription case na nabanggit ninyo kanina, Usec. Can you enlighten bakit ngayon lang po? And iyon mismong process how long will that take po from the filing until the formal classification po?

OSG JUSTICE MIRANDA: Hi, a pleasant afternoon everyone. Okay, to answer the query, the procedure on proscription as against designation – designation is an administrative process, is being tackled at the Anti-Terrorism Council and whereas on proscription, you go to a designated court of appeals and the procedure would be—the recommendation would come from NICA, the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency. Then it will refer the recommendation to the ATC. Then the ATC will then go to the DOJ which will now apply for the proscription of an organization or an individual.

RACQUEL BAYAN/RADYO PILIPINAS: But can we expect ‘no, ma’am, that within the year makuha po natin iyong target po natin na ma-classify sila as terrorist?

OSG JUSTICE MIRANDA: The DOJ is supposed to answer that because they’ll be the one to file the application. At this point in time, there was just a talk that there’s a move that we’re going to apply for the proscription of the CPP-NPA-NDF because—make it of record, that seven countries have already designated them as such. That’s why it’s already designated here in the Philippines too but we would like to make an upgrade of that, to go to the court in a way of proscription.

RACQUEL BAYAN/RADYO PILIPINAS: Maybe for Usec na lang po. Usec., once ma-classify po sila formally as terrorist, ano po kaya iyong mga changes na mangyayari or magagawa natin when it comes to iyong paglaban po natin sa CPP-NPA-NDF?

NTF-ELCAC USEC. TORRES JR.: Well, iyon nga, once na ma-proscribe na sila, we will have more legal basis in arresting those groups that espouses violence in solving our societal issues or societal problems. So, it would give more teeth ‘no especially to our security sector and iyong mga legal partners natin to really arrest those people who, you know, who espouses violence.

CHZIANELLE SALAZAR/DZXL: Good afternoon po. Atty. Leah po. Nagdesisyon po iyong Supreme Court kanina na i-suspend muna or hindi muna matutuloy iyong BARMM elections sa October 13. May epekto po ba iyong pagkaantala ng BARMM elections sa proseso ng pagbibigay ng amnesty at reintegration sa mga dating rebelde po?

NAC CHAIRPERSON ATTY. TANODRA-ARMAMENTO: Thank you for the question. Wala naman ho kasi ibang process naman iyong amnesty. In so far as the BARMM is concerned, this is part of our peace agreement with them. So, iba naman po iyong—ang election, that is a political matter that the BARMM will deal with. Ito naman po sa ating gobyerno po ito specific.

CLEIZL PARDILLA/PTV: Good afternoon po. You’ve mentioned po iyong ten million pesos. From what number po iyon and ano po iyong mga projects included doon sa ten million Barangay Development Program? Thank you.

NTF-ELCAC USEC. TORRES JR.: Yes. The ten million pesos per barangay was requested and it is in the NEP for the BDP 2026. This is actually the third year that we’ve been recommending na ten million pesos per barangay ano. But in 2023, same amount was requested per barangay but only 2.5 million—wait, 2024, it’s 2.5. So okay, let’s start with the 2024.

In 2024, we recommended for ten million per barangay, only 2.5 million was approved. But when we reported that to the EXECOM, the President gave the instruction to recover or find more funds ano to support the BDP and, luckily, five million was added to that. Therefore, 7.5 million was a total allocation per barangay for BDP 2024.

And then, for the current year, again ten million was recommended for the 780 barangays in the current year, BDP 2025. So ganoon pa rin, 2.5 million per barangay lang ang nailagay sa GAA. But there is a standing instruction once again from the chair of the NTF-ELCAC, the President himself, to find ways na makapag-source out pa ng fund para madagdagan ng five million ulit to make it 7.5 per year. And in this afternoon’s discussion, the DBM secretary was there also, there is already a way to which we can supplement the 2.5 by another five million per barangay. But as it is now, 2.5 ang nasa GAA, and we are in the process of sourcing out an additional million.

So, once again, for 2026, we again recommended 10 million pesos per barangay for the 808 BDP barangay for 2026. And this time, we are hopeful, more hopeful that the 10 million pesos per barangay would be approved. And the important to this is that the … it may sound big, ano, 8.08 billion for the 808 barangay all over the country, but this is a government’s project, our commitment to these communities which were neglected for a very long time kaya sila ay nai-exploit ‘no, madaling ma-agitate. So, after clearing these—because BDP barangay, part of the selection process is that they were formerly influenced by the CPP-NPA-NDF. Then through a very long and painstaking process, na-clear, na-capacitate natin iyong mga local chief executives doon, meaning iyong mga barangay captain, we were able to establish the integrated territorial defense system so that they can also protect themselves from any threat. Commitment natin iyan!

And an important process that we should also know is that iyong pondo diyan ay hindi po dumadaan sa DILG, hindi dumadaan sa NTF-ELCAC lalung-lalo na ‘no; it is released directly to the implementing unit. Meaning, doon po sa municipality or city kung saan naka-locate iyong beneficiary barangay. Hindi po at random iyong pag-select ng mga barangay na iyan ‘no.

It has to—there are certain parameters, iyon nga, dating influenced, na-clear na iyong barangay, and iyong clearing pa lang ng barangay ay napakahabang process na iyan because it includes the, you know, getting rid of the political and military structure of the CPP-NPA – that’s only one; capacitating the local chief executives or the barangay-based institutions to be able to, you know, facilitate the delivery of services; and then the establishment of the integrated territorial defense system wherein the uniform services, the CAFGU and even the civilians in the area, they work together to ensure na wala na pong re-incursion ng mga different threat groups, not only CPP-NPA but to include the criminals and other terrorist groups. So, ganoon po iyan ‘no.

So, napakaimportante that the sooner we make good with this commitment, the communities would feel that there is really a government that cares. That is a very important factor in our campaign in establishing peace and unity. Because when the people felt ‘no, iyong mga nakausap ko po na mga former rebels natin, what made them decide to turn their back on, you know, on believing that violence, only through violence could they resolve the root causes ‘no, the societal problem. So, sabi nila, when they saw, when they felt for themselves that there is a government that cares, noong naramdaman nila doon sa mga malalayong lugar ay umaabot na ang ating gobyerno. And there are just five—in answer to your question, there are just five (5) core projects under the Barangay Development Program: One is farm-to-market road; school building; health stations; puwedeng water system and electrification. Hindi po pupuwedeng lumabas doon. They may come in different combination, depende sa pangangailangan ng barangay sa area. Iyon mga nasa barangay, barangay officials, they are a part of identifying kung ano iyong project na mas kailangan nila doon given a certain budget.

That’s why it’s very important kasi kapag nag-submit sila sa atin ng project worth 10 million, for example, health station iyon at saka eskuwelahan and water system. Now, kung magiging 2.5 million lang iyon, hindi natin maibibigay sa kanila iyong ibang projects na kailangan na kailangan nila doon. So, we are appealing, of course, to our legislators to approve as recommended and as submitted in the NEP ‘no na 10 million per barangay because iyong barangay natin would really benefit from this Barangay Development Projects.

Thank you.

CHONA YU/DZRJ: Sir, just a quick follow-up on Cleizl’s question. What are the safeguards that the NTF-ELCAC will implement to ensure that this fund will not go into corruption, hindi mapupunta sa mga ghost projects and substandard ang pagkagawa? Ano iyong ilalagay ninyong guidelines doon or safeguards?

NTF-ELCACUSEC. TORRES JR.: We have a very strict guidelines in monitoring its … even from the release pa lang ng mga funds doon tapos sa implementation of the project. So, as I have said earlier, the funding is released directly to them municipality or city where the beneficiary barangay is located, then DBM tapos Bureau of Treasury, then diretso sa implementing LGU. Once na ma-release ng Bureau of Treasury iyong pondo na iyan, they are directed or mandated na mag-enroll doon sa Subaybayan Patrol. Ito iyong online monitoring ng DILG on the implementation of the BDP program – that’s for the digital.

Physically, there are several levels of monitoring. At the national level, multi-agency led by DILG, minsan kami rin sa NTF-ELCAC ay sumama sa kanila and other agency, we go down to select barangays lalo—kasi iyong reports na ginagawa ng mga monitoring teams, different monitoring teams are submitted every quarter. And then kami rin, sa joint regional task forces, mayroon din kaming accomplishment report so we can identify already kung mayroon mang mga problematic barangay. So, pinupuntahan iyon to resolve the problem if there is any. So, mayroon sa national, mayroon sa provincial, mayroon pa sa municipal. So, everybody is involved ‘no, even those iyong nag-i-implement ng project mismo, they hire iyong mga taga-doon mismo sa community.

So, I am happy to report to everybody that as of 2024, we have zero irregular COA finding, and that is for the implementation of 780 barangay. So, as we speak now, 2025, we have already served 4,830 BDP barangay. Tapos ang ano lang doon, if I remember it right, the only COA finding na maalala ko, kasi dati two years lang iyong paggamit ng pondo – 2021, dapat December 2023 nagamit na iyong pondo. So, ang nangyari, natapos pero lumampas sa termination iyong paggamit ng pondo ay pinambayad niya. So, that’s the only one. Iyong iba, ayaw nilang magkaroon sila ng COA finding, iyong ibang local chief executives, may mga – it’s on record – binabalik po nila iyong pondo. Tapos minsan naman dahil biglang tumaas iyong mga presyo o malayo iyong pag-i-implement ng mga projects, inaabonohan po ng ating mga local chief executives.

So, it’s really a nice system wherein they have ownership in the implementation of the project kaya po napakaganda. Kaya, Ma’am Chona, wala po talaga tayong ghost project doon sa—at saka even the quality of the project, even us, mayroon silang seminar na for the non-engineers, ano na iyon? Training for non-engineer so that when we join them in inspecting kahit iyong mga cracks, iyong paggagawa ng water system, kahit hindi kami engineers, we have an idea on what to inspect. So, that is a very good system that everybody is involved in seeing to it that these projects are implemented properly and all the funds that are allocated it are being used properly.

CHONA YU/DZRJ: Isa na lang, sir, ma’am. To AFP or kay Bishop Pantoja, sir. Ano po ang papel ninyo sa program na ito? And then, how are you going to approach the rebels to return sa government?

PCEC BISHOP PANTOJA: Sige po, mauna na ako. But, thank you. Iyong unang question mo, this is a blessing to the church but at the same time to the country na ang Office of the President, ang NTF-ELCAC through its program ‘no, iyong National Unity for Peace and Development, has invited the church to be engaged in this. Makakasigurado po kayo sa presence ng church ngayon, babantayan natin iyong mga ghost projects at makakasigurado tayo na ang church talaga ay galit sa corruption at tinindigan natin ito hanggang ngayon.

Pero bakit nandito tayo? I heeded ‘no, we heeded the call of the government to help in identifying and giving solutions. Limampung taon na ang problema ng digmaang ito and hindi lang bilang religious leader pero tayong mga Pilipino we are God fearing people and we love peace. And so, nakita natin ang bagong approach na ito for unity, peace and development. As followers of the Prince of Peace and that is the Lord Jesus Christ dapat talaga ang simbahan.

Talking about Barangay Development Plan, ang mga simbahan natin we are located in every sitio, in every barangay. May magagawa ang simbahan para hikayatin ang mga tao na tumulong at magkaroon nang tunay na kapayapaan and lasting peace dito sa ating bansa. And we’re praying also na kung ang simbahan ay mai-engage dito at makatulong sa paghinto ng rebellion by identifying and answering the root causes of rebellion which is poverty. Ang kailangan lang naman ng mga tao ay buhay na maayos, pagkain, trabaho at kabuhayan – kung mayroon niyan, tapos na and mayroong magagawa ang simbahan dito. Thank you.

AFP VICE COS LT. GEN. LARIDA: Thank you very much for that difficult question. Well, to be specific iyong sa ano po muna iyong in support sa statement ni Usec. Torres about paano masiguro na magamit nang tama iyong pondo ng BDP. May experience po ako nito, katatapos ko lang nag-brigade commander sa Palawan, malaki ang role ng field commanders ng AFP considering, unang-una, alam ninyo naman na nararating namin iyong hindi narating ng iba. So, kapag may mga recommendations ng BDP projects tinitingnan namin talaga.

Then sa implementation, the military commander in the area is a member of either Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) or the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) at pinag-uusapan po iyan doon kung ano na ang mga nangyayari sa BDP at may separate din na reporting iyong military units going up the echelon about what’s happening sa BDP. Responsable rin po kami sa BDP kasi nga part din kami nang nag-recommend noon in coordination with the LGUs kung ano iyong talagang totoong pangangailangan nila. So, malaki ang role ng AFP to ensure na iyong BDP funds are used wisely.

Then sa effort po ng NTF-ELCAC as a whole, nasabi na ni Usec. Torres kanina, about how to clear certain barangay – of course, napakaraming rotating parts po ang nasa equation, but of course, the AFP is in the frontline of this. And I would like to report the success of the NTF-ELCAC that based on the parameters on the clearing, we have a steady decline in all the insurgency parameters. So, example po dito in terms of manpower: in 2022, 2,008 iyong CTGs natin and by the end of first semester of 2025 bumaba po sa 901 – so, halos less than half na lang ang natira; and in terms of firearms from 1,817 in 2022, bumaba po ito sa 731 by the end of first semester of 2025. So, malaki po ang role ng Armed Forces of the Philippines in contributing sa objectives ng NTF-ELCAC.

And of course, isa rin kami sa agency na pinaparamdam namin sa mga kapatid natin na rebelde na mahal sila ng gobyerno and masaya kami na maraming susuko at tutulong sa atin sa development ng ating bansa. In fact, sa experience namin, sir, noong brigade commander ako, mayroon kaming isang rebel returnee na officer na ngayon – officer na siya, second lieutenant na siya ng Philippine Marines. So, maybe kilala ninyo siya eh si Kate Raca, sa atin po iyon sumuko noong brigade commander ako sa Palawan and I am so happy na nakita iyong potential niya and she is now a second lieutenant ng Philippine Navy-Marines. Pinapaliwanag po namin sila na mahal sila ng gobyerno. Thank you, ma’am.

Q: Does it mean, sir, na less combative na ngayon ang military towards the rebels?

AFP VICE COS LT. GEN. LARIDA: Based sa atin pong campaign plan na sinusunod ng ating AFP units, mayroon tayong sinusunod. In fact, may mga timelines na ibinibigay but still as we counter this maraming rotating parts again sa equation and the target could go right or go left but sana hopefully go left para ma-meet natin iyong target timeline.

But, yes, ma’am! As the Armed Forces of the Philippines is shifting also for territorial defense missions we are winding up our ISO – Internal Security Operations. Thank you, ma’am, for that question.

TUESDAY NIU/DZBB: Kay, Atty. Leah po. Follow up ko lang, ma’am, sabi ninyo kanina, out of the 10,000 expected applicants ay 4,000 plus po iyong nakapag-apply. Of this number po, ilan na po iyong na-approve for amnesty?

NAC CHAIRPERSON ATTY. TANODRA-ARMAMENTO: We are happy to announce that the President recently—actually, we just received it yesterday—approved nine recommendations. This is the first batch; we recommended nine and all of them were approved by the President. So, they are now waiting for us to issue a certificate of amnesty.

TUESDAY NIU/DZBB: Parang kakaunti pa lang iyon, ma’am, out of 4,000.

NAC CHAIRPERSON ATTY. TANODRA-ARMAMENTO: Ngayon pa lang na-complete iyong signature ng members ng National Amnesty Commission, iyong ex officio members, kasi we are like seven – so that’s me as the chairperson at saka dalawang commissioners and then the four are Secretary of Justice, Secretary of the Interior and Local Government, Secretary of National Defense and Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity. Lahat na ito, ma’am, dinadaanan ng papel ay nagri-review. So, isang linggo to isang buwan o dalawang buwan pa bago nila pipirmahan so matagal – doon kami, ma’am, nagtatagal – iyan ang bottleneck namin.

TUESDAY NIU/DZBB: Is there a way, ma’am, para ma-shorten iyong period?

NAC CHAIRPERSON ATTY. TANODRA-ARMAMENTO: Actually, ma’am, we’re trying to find a way. What we did is we call their lawyers. They sit with our lawyers to discuss. This is the resolution, so mayroon na. Pero sometime pagdating kay secretary may additional siyang requirement. Like ito, ma’am, sa ating application form mayroon na po tayong…under oath iyon may admission of guilt doon. Niri-require pa rin ng DOJ na there will be a separate sworn affidavit of admission of guilt – so, babalik uli ang papel; ibabalik mo uli iyan sa baba; hahanapin iyong…’di ba nagtatago kasi noon ang mga rebelde wala pa kasing safe conduct pass so nagtatago sila – hahanapin mo sila kung saan sila para pumirma; and then ibabalik natin sa DOJ.

And then sa DND naman, ang hinihingi niya iyong JAPIC – Joint AFP-PNP Intelligence Committee Certification – hinihingi nila sa amin ay original. So, sabi namin, hindi naman kami ang nag-i-issue ng JAPIC, kayo iyon eh so you provide the original. So, Ibabalik na naman namin iyon sa kanila – ganoon, ma’am. Maraming trabaho!

Kami sa National Amnesty Commission, mayroon na kaming 285 na na-resolve, na umiikot iyan sa lahat ng ex officio members. So, kung kailan siya babalik, iyon ang hinihintay namin, ma’am. Hindi namin control iyon, ma’am, eh!

TUESDAY NIU/DZBB: Ah so, parang iyon ang isa sa nakikita natin, ma’am, na hindrance para sa mas mabilis na pagproseso sa kanilang application?

NAC CHAIRPERSON ATTY. TANODRA-ARMAMENTO: Yes, ma’am.

TUESDAY NIU/DZBB: Thank you, ma’am.

CLEIZL PARDILLA/PTV: Ma’am, nasabi ninyo po may 50,000 pa na potential, nakaapekto po ba iyong flood control mess and corruption issues kaya nadi-discourage po sila and what are we doing about it? Thank you po.

NAC CHAIRPERSON ATTY. TANODRA-ARMAMENTO: Ma’am, parang hindi naman sila affected doon sa issue ng flood control kasi—oo, iyong corruption hindi sila affected kasi different ang issue nila, ma’am eh. It’s… principle nila ito ‘di ba? May prinsipyo silang pinaglalaban, nagkakataon lang the way they are fighting for their principles is beyond that is allowed by law. So ito iyong kanilang issue, ma’am, hindi nila issue iyong corruption. So, kung anuman ang issue ng corruption, parang political issue dito sa atin iyan – sa kanila, ma’am, it’s more of iyong kanilang security. Ang issue nila actually, ma’am, iyong can they go out of their homes, the security para makapag-file sila ng kanilang amnesty application.

Actually nga, ma’am, when the President issued a memorandum order granting us the authority to issue a safe conduct pass, nagdoble ang aming applicants. Para bang from April 8 nag-issue si Presidente, pagka June nag-surge ng 1,600 kaagad ang applicants so malaking bagay. And, then noong inisyu namin ang safe conduct pass kasi, ma’am, the way we issued safe conduct pass, we have ceremonies to encourage others to go out and apply for amnesty. Ang nangyayari, after the ceremony may nagsasalita, may nagri-respond.

Alam mo mga response nila napakasimple, “Maraming salamat, makapag-malling na kami ng family ko.” O, ‘di ba, very simple. Ganiyan, ma’am, ang kanilang issue.

HARLENE DELGADO/ABS-CBN: Kay Usec. Torres. Usec., we just like to get your reaction po doon sa naging proposal ni Senator Win Gatchalian to merge iyong Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity with the NTF-ELCAC citing that this could streamline iyong peace efforts and also iyong government operational efficiency.

NTF-ELCAC USEC. TORRES JR.: Yeah. Could you give me just a minute ‘cause we have a—I heard that eh during one of the budget hearings. It was brought out by Senator Gatchalian, iyong harmonization ng ELCAC and OPAPRU’s peace programs, okay. This is our reply to it ano, Harlene:

“We welcome constructive calls for harmonization and affirm our ongoing robust collaboration with OPAPRU. While our mandates are distinct, NTF-ELCAC focuses on addressing active communist insurgency through the whole-of-nation approach in geographically targeted conflict zones and OPAPRU oversees broad-based peace processes, we recognize the imperative to synchronize efforts where our work intersects.

Through the executive committee of the NTF-ELCAC chaired by the President, we actively align strategies, deconflict programs and integrate resource allocation particularly in transition areas like BARMM and conflict-cleared barangays shifting to sustainable development.”

Ang main difference ng function ng OPAPRU sa NTF-ELCAC is that OPAPRU’s PAMANA program operates at the provincial and municipality and connects all the ELCAC-cleared barangays and provides complementary sustainable programs. For instance, the BDP project and OPAPRU’s social healing initiatives already operate complementarily to prevent duplication.

So, kami sa NTF-ELCAC, we commit to enhancing the synergy through joint impact assessments and shared data platforms ensuring that all peace-building efforts remain cohesive, efficient and laser-focused on the ultimate goal which is enduring peace and inclusive development for all Filipinos.

So, just like what happened earlier, nandudoon naman si Secretary Galvez ‘no, while BDP programs were discussed, strictly speaking iyong BDP, there are programs also that would complement that. Take for instance iyong farm-to-market road, doon sa mga BDP projects, mga maliliit lang na farm-to-market roads iyan, parang opening lang but iyong sa PAMANA program ng ano naman, they have projects that would connect all of these small farm-to-market roads in the geographically isolated and disadvantaged area – that is just one.

Now, sa NTF-ELCAC mayroon din tayong mga de-radicalization program and mga reintegration program that is fully complemented by the transformation program of the OPAPRU. So, basta nag-i-intersect iyong aming mga mandate and the programs, there is always the executive committee, [unclear] forum to… you know, so that there won’t be any duplication of actions and tasks. Thank you.

JONNEL MARIBOJOC/UNTV: Lihis lang po nang kaunti para po sa AFP. Ano po ang naging direktiba ng Pangulo sa pagresponde po sa lindol sa Cebu? Sa Cebu po, lihis lang po ako ng issue, sir.

LT. GEN. JIMMY D. LARIDA: Kahit anumang sakuna po, sir, the Armed Forces of the Philippines as a bureau of the National Defense, iyan po ang… ang instruction is always to support our agencies involved in that. At nakahanda po iyong ating mga search and rescue teams, we have our ships, vehicles, mobility, fixed-wing, and the rotary-wing aircrafts. Nakahanda po iyan at ang guidance po is to bring those assets as close as possible to the affected barangays, of course safest, safest din considering din sa sitwasyon. So iyan po, handang-handa po ang Armed Forces of the Philippines sa pagtulong sa nangyari po sa mga kababayan natin sa Cebu. Thank you, sir.

NTF-ELCAC USEC. TORRES JR.: By the way, if I may just… lihis din naman ako nang kaunti. One of our strong partners in our campaign for unity, peace and development are the former rebels ‘no, iyong mga tumutulong na sa atin. And, fortunately last April, we have already established a national organization of former rebels or peace advocates ‘no numbering to about 55,000 nationwide with the regional organization.

And, we invited their president earlier in the executive meeting just to manifest our appreciation to the efforts of this group ano of former rebels, at iyong presidente po nila ay si Mr. Noel Legaspi, nandudoon po, kasama po natin. He used to be the Deputy Secretary of Far South Mindanao Region and he is—their group is really committed, 55,000 of them to help us out in really uplifting the, you know, the communities in those GIDAs area. So, thank you.

So, Buklod Kapayapaan Federation Incorporated, so we would like to solicit of course your support also to this particular group because we would like them to be an independent organization because they would like to ano… they told me that they cannot forever live on assistance of the government, they really would like to stand on their own and they have that potential, they have that skills ‘no to organize and to make their organization really be an organization that would address the different issues and concerns of former rebels.

And there a lot, hindi lang po iyong mga nabanggit natin kanina about… security is one already ‘no, livelihood opportunities ‘no and all of those things ‘no. So, we now have that former rebels organization to address such concerns of our former rebels to support iyong ating amnesty program, iyong ating E-CLIP ‘no and other transformation program for the former rebels.

PCO ASEC. HIDALGO: If there are no more questions we can put this briefing to a halt. Again, thank you so much to our panelists – Bishop Noel Pantoja, Justice Angelita Miranda, Atty. Leah Armamento, Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr. and Lt. Gen. Jimmy Larida of the AFP.

Thank you, sirs and ma’ams. And thank you, Malacañang Press Corps. Have a good evening.

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