(PIA-NCR file photo)

MANILA, (PIA) -- The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) has appealed to remaining rebels to stop recruiting Filipinos for armed groups and instead surrender to avail of the government's Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) and amnesty.

"To those still recruiting, stop your recruitment. Have mercy on our countrymen. Have mercy on our fellow Filipinos," NTF-ELCAC Director Arnulfo G. Bajarin said during a recent appearance on the "Balik-Loob sa Pagbabago" radio-television program.

Bajarin urged the rebels to "come down, surrender, avail of E-CLIP, avail of the various government programs prepared for you, and avail of the amnesty program."

STOP COMMUNIST RECRUITMENT, AVAIL E-CLIP AND APPLY FOR AMNESTY. National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) Dir. Arnulfo G. Bajarin appealed to remaining rebels to stop the recruitment of fellow Filipinos for armed groups and encouraged them to surrender and avail of the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program, as well as apply for amnesty. (Photo: TFBL Strategic Communications)

As the lead agency implementing the whole-of-nation approach against local armed conflicts, the NTF-ELCAC partners with the Task Force Balik-Loob (TFBL) in carrying out the government's comprehensive reintegration program for former rebels and violent extremists.

Bajarin praised President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s timely issuance of a proclamation granting amnesty to former rebels, calling it one of the government's comprehensive moves to end the armed struggle.

"Amnesty is very timely, as the area of movement of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) is getting smaller and smaller, and the government has given them this," Bajarin said.

"This is one of the government's comprehensive moves to end the meaningless conflict between the NPA and the government, where our fellow Filipinos are the ones suffering."

To ensure focused implementation and monitoring of NTF-ELCAC projects, Bajarin disclosed plans to appoint Project Development Officers (PDOs) from each member agency.

"The intent is for all NTF-ELCAC member agencies to have a PMO dedicated to NTF-ELCAC programs, projects, and activities. The purpose is to have a focus. With all agencies having a Project Management Office for NTF-ELCAC, all national government programs, projects, and activities can be monitored as they are brought down to the barangays, which will benefit," he explained.

Bajarin also highlighted the success of the Barangay Development Program (BDP), the task force's flagship program aimed at ushering development in former conflict-ridden communities.

This year, a total of 864 barangays will benefit from the P2.5 billion budget recently approved by Congress. (PIA-NCR)