Marcos creates task force to ensure peace and order in Negros

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the creation of an inter-agency task force meant to ensure peace and order on Negros Island.

Administrative Order No. 6 signed on April 3 directed the government agencies concered “prevent the spread and escalation of violence elsewhere in the Philippines and to maintain peace and order in Negros Island, with due regard to the fundamental civil and political rights of the people.”

They have been ordered to intensify the campaign against private armed groups and loose firearms.

The task force was named after the late Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo, who along with several others was killed in an attack at his residence in early March.

Task Force Degamo will be chaired by Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos and co-chaired by Justice Chief Jesus Crispin Remulla and National Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr.

The task force commanders will include Philippine National Police Chief General Rodolfo Azurin Jr.,  Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief-of-staff General Andres Centino and National Bureau of Investigation Director Medardo De Lemos.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development was mandated to extend emergency relief assistance to the families of the victims, while the Department of Health shall provide psychological rehabilitation to affected individuals.

The Presidential Assistant for the Visayas was ordered to coordinate with the task force “with the aim of enlisting the full support of all stakeholders.”

Under AO No. 6, the task force will have the power to coordinate and rationalize the efforts of concerned government agencies and instrumentalities to “ensure a whole-of-government approach in the prevention, investigation, prosecution, and punishment of violence in Negros Island.” —NB, GMA Integrated News