DAVAO ORIENTAL – From being members and supporters of a lawless group, former rebels and former Underground Mass Organization (UGMO) members have come together as members of the People’s Organizations organized by the government.

On Tuesday, the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict gathered the newly organized Davao Oriental Federation of Former Underground Mass Organization, which is now officially recognized as a People’s Organization through the initiative of the provincial government of Davao Oriental, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Philippine National Police, and the Philippine Army.

This organization is composed of former rebels and former mass organization members from all over Davao Oriental.

The newly registered organization aims to attain a just and lasting peace with the active support of the community and partner stakeholders in eliminating the influence of the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army – New Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) in the community.

According to the Focal Person of the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC), Ednar G. Dayanghirang, forming a unified organization will give a way for former rebels and former underground mass supporters to be represented as they are now back to the mainstream society.

Along with the creation of the federation, various partner agencies also attended to show support to the peacebuilding goal of the province. The National Housing Authority (NHA) vowed to provide home assistance, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) also pledged to give social services.

According to the Commander of the 701st Infantry Kagitingan Brigade Brigadier General Oliver C. Maquiling, the government and the Philippine Army are intensifying the creation of a federated people’s organization (PO) among former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF), and their underground mass organization (UGMO) supporters, to help them rebuild their lives as they reintegrate to their communities.

“The former rebels (FRs) helped us along with their organized mass members in building the path of peace and development here in our area,” Brig. Gen. Maquiling added. Brig. Gen. Maquiling underscored that the establishment of POs can eventually help the former UGMO members who were mostly farmers and fisherfolk get back on their feet and live normally in their communities with the government’s support.

He pointed out that the organization of POs would not also be possible without the assistance of various government agencies as well as the private sector that jointly worked for the former rebels’ reformation.

“Government agencies and the private sector joined forces to provide sustainability on these POs as they slowly return to the folds of the law. We aimed at providing them livelihood, security, and upon establishment, that is when the whole of nation approach comes in,” Brig. Gen. Maquiling said.

This effort of the provincial government of Davao Oriental is in line with the national government’s pursuit to end Communism.

In December 2018, President Rodrigo issued Executive Order 70 institutionalizing the Whole-Of-Nation approach in attaining inclusive and sustainable peace, creating a National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, and directing the adoption of a national peace framework.

Section 2 of EO 70 also directed the creation of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) to ensure the efficient and effective implementation of the whole of nation approach.

The NTF-ELCAC is so far the most potent strategy being utilized by the Duterte administration in defeating the communist insurgency in the countryside.

Federated People’s Organization

Mr. Alvin A. Dalagan, Banaybanay Former UGMO President, was elected the Federation President.

In an interview, he expressed his gratitude towards the government for establishing the organization because it will empower the POs, and grant them access to the government assistance through the convergence effort of various government agencies and private sectors.

In return, he pledged to lead the sustainability of peace and order in the province, especially that the number of active communists is getting smaller – a positive indication that insurgency problem in the province is almost coming to an end.

Based on the reports of the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Army, there are more or less 15 active members of the CPP-NPA-NDF they are trying to persuade to voluntary surrender and go back to the folds of the law.

PTF-ELCAC is hopeful that through the establishment of the federated organization, efforts will intensify and the insurgency-free status will be achieved by the end of Governor Nelson L. Dayanghirang’s term.

On NPA’s 53rd Anniversary

While the government renewed its appeal to the combatants to surrender their arms, the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) on Tuesday ordered the members of its armed wing the New People’s Army (NPA) to intensify their recruitment during the celebration of their 53rd founding anniversary.

However, that goal is not seen possible in the province of Davao Oriental as former rebels and UGMO members have coalesced to help sustain the peace and order situation of the province.

PTF-ELCAC Vice-Chairman Ednar G. Dayanghirang has long emphasized that without the support from the masses, Communism will not thrive.

“The mass supporters are their backbone. Without the help from the common people, the CPP-NPA-NDF will not function,” Dayanghirang said.

Mr. Dayanghirang also expressed his enthusiasm that with the support of all Filipinos, the government’s efforts for the reintegration of former rebels and UGMO members will be sustained so that the entire nation will enjoy the fruits of peace. | By Shaye Dacles; Photos by Mark Oliver Alvite