AFP says 'good governance' main strategy in whole-of-nation approach to ensure peace

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday said the main strategy in the whole-of-nation approach to ensure peace and development in localities is good governance.

In his State of the Nation Address, President Rodrigo Duterte underscored that the military plays a vital role in ensuring internal security at the local levels.

AFP spokesperson Major General Edgard Arevalo explained that while military personnel do combat operations against lawless elements such as the communist groups, other agencies deliver their own duties such as construction of farm-to-market roads, bridges, school buildings, health centers, post-harvest facilities as well as those that create livelihood opportunities.

"While doing so and towards an unimpeded delivery of government’s basic services, the AFP secures and assists these agencies of government rather than the military doing them," Arevalo said in a press statement.

"The AFP will be instrumental in creating conditions where CTG members will seek to return to the folds of the law," he said, adding that it will be done through intelligence and psychological operations and civil affairs.

"Government’s frontline agencies will take over and assist through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program," he said.

Duterte had said there must be a military intervention in the implementation of the barangay development program.

"This refers to a program where the Armed Forces would play a vital role in the one nation approach. I am aware of the skirmishes and assassination of soldiers and I said correct this so that we can proceed with the barangay implementation as fast as possible," Duterte said.—AOL, GMA News