During his visit at NOLCOM Headquarters, Gapay awarded battle campaign streamers to Joint Task Force Kaugnay and Joint Task Group Defenders for dismantling Komiteng Larangang Gerilya South Ilocos Sur; and Joint Task Force Tala and Joint Task Group Liberator for dismantling Komiteng Larangang Gerilya Quirino-Nueva Vizcaya.
“The battle streamers are manifestations of NOLCOM’s outstanding performance as far as internal security operation is concerned,” the general said.
In terms of territorial defense efforts, Gapay underscored the established facilities in Mavulis Island and the 11 sovereign markers built by NOLCOM in the chain of uninhabited islands which assert the country’s sovereignty in the northern maritime territory.
Northern Luzon Command Chief, Lieutenant General Arnulfo Marcelo B Burgos Jr. said it is a clear indication of the weakening communist terrorism in the region, noting that 87 rebels surrendered last month which yielded a total of 16 assorted firearms.
“The communist terrorists in northern and central Luzon are now on the brink of irreversible collapse. We have achieved decisive advantage against them, as manifested by the increasing number of surrenders from their ranks and the increasing number of their key personalities neutralized.”Burgos said.
Last year, a total of 396 rebels gave up and are already processing their requirement for the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP).
Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay (PHILIPPINE ARMY / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
Gapay bestowed battle streamer awards to the military units during a command conference held at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Friday, Jan. 15.
“Despite the pandemic, AFP soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines were able to persevere and continue its commitment in defeating internal security threats such as the CTGs [communist-terrorist groups],” he said.
The AFP Chief challenged the military units to sustain their military offensives so they can achieve their goal of crushing the communist insurgency by 2022.
“Let us not rest on our laurels. Let these gains serve as an inspiration for us to deliver some more and perform better. Let us continue to be proactive and innovative in our ways to sustain our operational momentum,” Gapay said.
Published January 14, 2021, 10:08 AM
TARLAC CITY Around 222 former rebels in northern and central Luzon received government financial assistance through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program last year.
In a conference at the Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) Headquarters presided over by Undersecretary Reynaldo B Mapagu, chairperson of Task Force Balik-Loob, with Lt. Gen. Arnulfo Marcelo B Burgos Jr, NOLCOM commander, it was disclosed that 222 former rebels received the P15.9 million financial assistance package from the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP).
Other benefits offered by the different government agencies are the “Pangkabuhayan Package” from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE); educational scholarship offered by the Department of Education (DepEd); skills development training offered by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and housing assistance being offered by the National
In a conference presided by Defense Undersecretary and Task Force Balik-Loob Chairperson Reynaldo Mapagu, Armed Forces of the Philippines Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) Commander Lieutenant General Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr. said the financial aid is on top of the pangkabuhayan package, educational scholarships, skills and development training, and housing assistance offered by other government agencies.
Under E-CLIP, rebel returnees and their families were given a wide array of benefits to help them start anew as they were reintegrated to mainstream society.
“NOLCOM recognizes the significant role of E-CLIP in weakening and eventually dismantling of the communist terrorist groups in our area of operation,” Burgos stressed.