The existence of private armed groups poses a threat to the country’s internal security, hence, “eliminating the peace spoilers” is very crucial.

Department of National Defense chief Carlito Galvez Jr. made the remark as he emphasized the strong commitment of the security sector to annihilate peace spoilers nationwide to ensure the people can live “free from violence and fear about their safety.”

“The issue of private armed groups in the country was brought to the fore with the recent spate of violence against local chief executives,” Galvez said, as he presided over the 11th oversight committee meeting of the National Task Force for the Disbandment of Private Armed Groups in Kidapawan City on 15 March.

The NTF-DPAG was created as one of the peacekeeping initiatives being implemented through the security component of the normalization track under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro.

It is in charge of policy, planning, and implementation of the program to disband the PAGs, including coordinating with the relevant bodies under the CAB and other entities as may be necessary, in accordance with the schedule provided in the Annex on Normalization.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier directed the DND and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to intensify their support and cooperation in the disbandment of private armed groups in the Bangsamoro region and other areas across the country.

Heeding this order, Galvez said: “More than ever, the fulfillment of our mandate is now made more urgent with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to dismantle private armies and identify hotspots where local officials are being attacked.”

Peaceful communities

Galvez is hoping that the government’s efforts and commitment under the CAB would lead to creating more peaceful and violence-free communities, especially in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Meanwhile, Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. commended the task force for its swift response to reported lawlessness in areas in the Visayas and Mindanao.

Abalos, who chairs the NTF-DPAGs, said the security sector will continue to work together in tearing down the walls of divisiveness and animosity of partisan politics.

“As we journey towards freeing the Philippines from its long-running gun culture, rest assured that the DILG stands ready to render any necessary assistance for the attainment of our noble objective,” he said.

Acting Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Secretary Isidro Purisima likewise expressed the agency’s steadfast commitment to a lasting peace that could take root and flourish in the Bangsamoro.

“We will work tirelessly to ensure that the jointness and synergy of the efforts and the mutual trust developed between the government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front are maintained and strengthened,” Purisima said.

In April 2022, Galvez reported the neutralization of some 15 private armed groups in Mindanao.

Galvez was the presidential peace adviser at the time when the task force initially monitored 18 PAGs and dismantled 15 of them operating in the BARMM areas.

The DND chief vowed that they will act with utmost dedication to fulfill all the tasks necessary to eliminate these peace spoilers.