Esperon: Task forces will bring defeat of Phl communist rebels

By Pamela Mariz T. Geminiano

BAGUIO CITY -- National task force to end local communist armed conflict vice chairperson Hermogenes Esperon said the government will defeat communist rebels not only in Cordillera but nationwide.
     "We have task forces that are active from the national down to the barangay level.  Today, because of our organization we are able to deliver what was asked of us," he said. 
    Esperon bared this during a meeting of the Cordillera Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) here to strengthen the government’s efforts to combat the communist insurgency and other armed conflicts in the region. 
    In his message during the National TF leveling meeting with the Cordillera Regional and Local TFs -ELCAC on Jan. 27, Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security (CORDS) for Cordillera and Dept. of Agriculture (DA) Sec. William Dar said synchronized efforts of government in all levels will sustain gains of government in ending the local communist armed conflict. 
    "The government recognizes the ability of each one of us and our agencies to share our resources, experiences, and perspectives in addressing the concerns and problems affecting local communities in the Cordillera and the nation as a whole, which are interrelated," he said. 
    "These include the communist armed conflict, the coronavirus pandemic, environmental degradation, climate change, hunger, poverty, among others".
    Dar said “the national government recognizes that the promotion of peace and development in communities is an ongoing process. Thus, we can help them evolve and strengthen their processes in order to be accountable, responsive and transparent to their constituents.”
    Also during said meeting, outgoing DILG regional director Marlo Iringan presented highlights of accomplishments of 12 clusters of the Cordillera RTF-ELCAC for 2020.
    He said a lot have been done but the TFs still have a lot more to accomplish.
    In his last message as the head secretariat of Cordillera RTF-ELCAC, Iringan, who is soon to officially report as the DILG OIC-Undersecretary for Local Government, said, "It is an honor and a pleasure to have worked with all of you, I consider my assignment here in Cordillera for five years as one of the greatest blessings I have received. I wish you all well and may all your good plans for the communities of the Cordillera come true."-- With a report from Trisha Dogup