The whole-of-nation approach

Executive Order 70 issued by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte also known as the whole-of-nation approach in attaining inclusive and sustainable peace is aimed to end local communist armed conflict through the creation of a National Task Force (NTF) that will take the lead in institutionalizing a national peace framework. 

Communist terrorist groups in the CPP-NPA-NDF rebellion have for decades posed and positioned themselves as a revolutionary organization causing the ongoing conflict between the Philippine government and the communist coalition of the CPP, wherein diverse means of one-sided reports and fabricated facts have been used to portray a thoughtless and abusive government. 

This failed narrative which has lasted for over 50 years has only resulted in the loss of lives most especially of the youth. I have personally been getting a number of messages and other forms of feedback from grieving parents who claim to have lost their children to an ideology that paints the government as traitors to their motherland, while turning them slowly into rabid activists lost in a cause. 

As a mother going through message after message, I too can’t help but worry about my children as many of these stories narrate a detailed personal account of the troubling changes they see in their own, being part of institutions they thought they could trust and entrust their children to – such as schools and universities. 

This is why Executive Order 70, creating the National Task Force to End the Communist Insurgency, vows to go to the very root of the problem. The whole-of-nation approach as directed by the President is essential for this peace framework to become possible, effective and instrumental. 

Most of all, it is the key to finally resolving communist insurgency.

Last month, President Duterte further strengthened this whole of nation approach through the creation of the CORDS ( Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security) where at least 16 Cabinet members have been delegated to oversee in their regions the peace and development efforts and assist the President in the prompt and orderly resolution of problems in government operations. 

The CORDS is also aimed to link the regions to national agencies in the hopes of bridging and building peace and to finally put an end to our insurgency problems. While there is a relationship between peace and order and the state of economic affairs, the whole of nation approach aims to ensure strategic measures for peace and security as well as stressing on the importance of good governance. 

The whole of nation approach therefore drives inter-agency convergence which also reflects the local government’s attitude geared toward a unified and inclusive perspective to end insurgency. #dutertelegacy.