Andanar urges organized farmers to influence surrender of rebels

By Prince Golez

Communications Secretary Martin Andanar stressed the role of farmers’ groups in influencing members of communist terrorist groups to regain their trust and confidence in the government.

During his engagement with rice farmer members of the Lalawan-Sawaga-Simaya Irrigators Association (LSSIA) in Bukidnon, Andanar reiterated President Rodrigo Duterte’s call for a people-centered approach to resolving the country’s decades of insurgency.

Executive Order No. 70, which Duterte signed in December 2018, institutionalizes the “whole-of-nation” approach in attaining inclusive and sustainable peace through ensuring that government programs and services are brought closer to the communities, especially in poor, geographically-challenged, and conflict-affected areas.

“You complete this whole-of-nation approach to end insurgency. Because of your group, since it is organized and well-managed, the projects of the government will not go to waste,” said Andanar.

“If there are more associations like LSSIA, they will be able to influence more. Not only here in Violeta, but also in barangays in hinterlands, and those in areas with conflict,” he added.

LSSIA is one of the recipients of projects aligned under the Convergence Areas for Peace and Development program of the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict 10 (RTF-ELCAC X).

Andanar is the chairperson of the RTF-ELCAC X.

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Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)