AFP’s engagement with NGOs in security plan the first in Asia
By Rachelle M. Nessia
DUMAGUETE CITY, June 29 (PIA) --- The move to engage non-government organizations (NGOs) in framing the direction of military institutions in the Philippines under the Bantay Bayanihan program is the first in Asia.
This was said by Dr. Jennifer Santiago Oreta of the Working Group on Security Sector Reform of the Ateneo de Manila University (WGSSR-ADMU) during the regional launching of Bantay Bayanihan Thursday in Dumaguete City.
“I’ve researched on this and checked. We are the first in involving the civil society because the other countries, they engage the civil society groups and academe in an ad-hoc basis only, or per-project basis,” Oreta told the audience of the launching ceremony composed of local government officials and representatives from NGOs, government agencies, police, and the military.
The launching marked the start of Bantay Bayanihan in Region 7, a civil society-led national project that serves as a venue for discussions between the NGOs, academe, and government agencies in tackling peace and security issues, implementation of the Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) particularly in its non-combat-to-combat aspect.
“This is something we have to be proud of, being the first country in Asia to do this,” she said.
Under the Bantay Bayanihan, Oreta said the AFP is engaging civil society organizations and the academe in framing what they want to do in the next six years.
It also serves as a venue for discussion in localities, particularly in conflict-affected areas, on peace and security issues, IPSP implementation especially in the non-combat-to-combat aspect of the IPSP.
Through the Bantay Bayanihan, the civil society sector can push for concise policy recommendations on security sector reforms to the concerned government agencies in the local and national sectors.
“Whatever happens in the local must be fed in the national so that the national policies can be informed by the dynamics or how it will impact in the local situation,” said Oreta.
Should the multi-sectoral project be successful in ending armed conflict in the country, the Philippines, beset by a conflict that is uniquely wide and vast, will become a benchmark for other countries.
Unlike other nations, security forces in the Philippines are dealing with “different flavors of conflict,” said Oreta, such as conflict with terrorists, ideological groups, private armed groups, cessationist groups, etc.
“We can aspire to be the benchmark in this program. If we can be successful in this undertaking, let other countries look at how we did it and how we are performing our role in ending armed conflict,” Oreta said.
The Bantay Bayanihan addresses the need for a convergence of efforts among security-concerned government agencies and the civil society in achieving the IPSP’s national goal of ending all armed conflict in the country by 2016.
“The PNP and AFP cannot do it by themselves. The whole of government and society to work towards the agenda are needed,” she added. (RMN/PIA Negros Oriental)
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‘Bantay Bayanihan’ envisioned to help end armed conflict
By Rachelle M. Nessia
DUMAGUETE CITY, June 29 (PIA) --- A program, "Bantay Bayanihan," created by non-government organizations (NGOs) will help realize an end to armed conflict four years from now.
Representatives from the various non-government organizations and security stakeholders in Region 7 gathered here on Thursday for the first region-wide launching of Bantay Bayanihan, which will provide a venue for civil society and security stakeholders in the government to actively participate in the discussion for the successful implementation of the IPSP of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
“Military action is not enough to solve the security problem as it only addresses the armed capability of the insurgency movement,” said Philippine Army’s 30nd Brigade Commander Col. Francisco Patrimonio.
The commander stressed that a holistic approach and the involvement of stakeholders are need to address insurgency’s root causes, adding that the Bantay Bayanihan is a way to direct social pressure on the insurgents on the futility of armed struggle.
“This is also to express the desire of the general public for a peaceful solution to armed insurgency,” he said.
The launching was spearheaded by non-government organizations Australian AID, Ateneo de Manila University, and The Asia Foundation together with the Philippine Army.
It was highlighted by the signing of a manifesto of support by government officials led by Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo and First District Rep. Jocelyn Limkaichong, and the civil society led by Marietta Jambora, president of the Oriental Negros Children’s Advocacy Network (ONCAN).
Philippine Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Bautista and Dr. Jennifer Santiago Oreta of the Ateneo de Manila University also signed the manifesto.
After the launching, security stakeholders are expected to start dialogues discussing security sector reform and development both in the local and national levels. (RMN/PIA 7, Negros Oriental)