The military’s effort to cascade the acceptance and understanding of the revitalized anti-terrorism law down to the local level is gaining steam after barangay officials in Pampanga pledged their support to the controversial measure.
Thirty-three barangay chairmen of Angeles City, Pampanga vowed to support for the implementation of the new law, which security officials claimed would better arm the government in dealing with terrorist threats.
On Monday, newly installed Armed Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay said he would make the implementation of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 a priority of his leadership, asserting it would boost government efforts in dealing with the threats posed by the New People’s Army and terrorist groups operating in Mindanao.
The village leaders expressed their support to the new law during the conduct of “An Awareness on Communism, Terrorism and Security [ACTS] for Peace 2020” held by the 48th Infantry Battalion (48th IB) at the Angeles City Police Office.
The event was initiated to provide local officials a better understanding of the newly signed anti-terrorism law and Executive Order 70 creating a national task force to end insurgency.
The 48th IB was joined by Angeles City police and city officials during the event.
Lawyer Frederick Mikhail Farolan, former consultant, Office of the Chairperson, Commission on Human Rights, and lead convener and executive director, Coalition for Security Towards Peace, graced the event as the guest of honor and speaker.
Brig. Gen. Andrew Costelo, 703rd Brigade commander, fully supported the dialogue, saying the military will help the government in ensuring that local officials and communities fully understand the new law and its intent.
“This is a good step of the 48th IB in order for the barangay captains to be made aware of the true and clear provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Law of 2020,” he said.
“Alongside with Executive Order 70, it is necessary that barangay executives will be equipped with true and needed information regarding the law to avoid confusion and to synchronize the effort towards peace and development,” he added.
Lt. Col. Felix Emeterio Valdez, 48th IB commander, underscored the need for police and military officials to work together in the implementation of the new law.
“This is to avoid misinformation and to promote harmony in the implementation of the Anti-Terrorism Law of 2020. This endeavor will continue, and together with our Philippine National Police counterparts, we will reach out to every corner of our area of operations to inform and to impart regarding the new law on anti-terrorism,” he said.