Caraga RTF-ELCAC cluster reports decrease in crime rate, CTG-led incidents in 2023
By Renelle L. Escuadro
BUTUAN CITY -- The Peace, Law Enforcement and Development Support (PLEDS), a cluster of the Caraga Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC), convened on April 20, 2023 at the Camp Col. Rafel C. Rodriguez, Libertad, Butuan City, which allowed members of the cluster to present their respective accomplishments in the implementation of Executive Order No. 70 institutionalizing the whole-of-nation approach to end local communist armed conflict.
The Police Regional Office-13 (PRO-13), as chair of the PLEDS headed by Regional Director Pablo G. Labra II, shared a decrease of 1.54% in the total crime rates in the region for the first quarter of the year 2023, made possible through the full support of the local government units (LGUs), other law enforcement agencies, members of the cluster and partner agencies, and stakeholders.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) echoed the same decrease of threat situation in Caraga Region from 2019 to this year for both non-violent activities and New People's Army (NPA) violent incidents.
On the other hand, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Caraga, through Regional Director Tarhata S. Mapandi shared the accomplishments of TESDA in providing skills and livelihood trainings to identified barangays under the Barangay Development Program. As of the year 2021, all concerned provinces were at 100% served and reached by TESDA Caraga.
With commendation, PRO-13 suggested to sustain the TESDA skills training courses on engine repair, carpentry and masonry which will greatly help the livelihood of the residents living in identified barangays under the Barangay Development Program. It further recommended for the engagement of the police cadres under the Revitalized Pulis sa Barangay (R-PSB) to the livelihood programs of the cluster members such as the National Greening Program of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and tilapia raising of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), so the people's organizations and former rebels can proactively take advantage of these programs for a sustainable livelihood.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Caraga also conveyed to the cluster the efforts and support of PCG to sustain the peace and order in the region including the distribution of information, education, communication materials, and securing seaports as point of entry through deployment of K9 units.
As the secretariat of the cluster, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Caraga revealed that over P22 million financial assistance was released to the former rebels for the year 2022. The agency will continue to sustain its efforts on E.O. 70 and ensure that all LGUs are on top of this endeavor.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) through the Caraga Regional Prosecutors Office, included in its accomplishment the communist-terrorist group (CTG) database, that is used by the court in the easy tracking and monitoring on progress of cases filed against members of the insurgency group.
The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga, as the communication arm of the government, through the leadership of Regional Director Venus L. Garcia, emphasized the strong communication support of the agency to the cluster to ensure government success in the fight against insurgency. She pointed out that it is important that vital information is shared to all Filipinos including the government programs and support that should also reach the grassroots so more rebels will return to the folds of law.
In the agency's presentation, through PIA Caraga Assistant Regional Director Renelle L. Escuadro, it reported on the full utilization of its different platforms for information dissemination such as news and articles posted in PIA national and regional websites and electronic magazine, video materials for PTV news and Caraga Infocus News, among others.
Notwithstanding the shared achievements, the commitment of the PLEDS cluster of the Caraga RTF-ELCAC remains grounded which is to implement neutralization campaigns against all armed groups in the communities including joint law enforcement operations and legal actions and provides priority security to localities.
The journey of the cluster does not stop and moves on until it will be mission accomplished. (RLE/PIA Caraga)
