Zamboanga City (October 5, 2023) – Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. reiterated his support for the National Task Force for the Disbandment of Private Armed Groups (NTF-DPAGs) during its 13th Oversight Committee Meeting on Thursday at the Western Mindanao Command, Camp Navarro.

Secretary Teodoro, who is also the vice chairperson of the task force, said that the Department will work with all the members of the task force to ensure that the task of maintaining peace on the ground is done sustainably.

“The DND would also like to converge with each and every one of you, not only to go after armed groups, but the manufacture of illegal firearms as well, because we have to hit the demand source and the supply source,” the Defense Chief added, highlighting that the problems faced by the task force is that private armed groups are using their native talents and ingenuity to create weapons which can maim and destroy peace-loving people. He also noted that this is a source, not only of crimes and violence, but the start of extortion and as well.

Secretary Teodoro also noted that the presence of Special Assistant to the President, Secretary Antonio Ernesto F. Lagdameo, Jr. is a manifestation that President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. is eager to hear the achievements of the Task Force.

The DND Chief emphasized that the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the DND will collaborate with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU), and other agencies in order to achieve sustainable peace and order, which is imperative in development.

“We should also gather the confidence of investors, both foreign and domestic, which are needed to drive our resource-base, so that we can enforce peace in a more sustainable manner,” Secretary Teodoro concluded.

The committee discussed updates on current operations and made directives to secure areas in time for the October 30, 2023 Barangay elections.

Also present in the committee meeting were DILG Secretary and Chairperson of the NTF-DPAGs Benjamin C. Abalos, Jr. and OPAPRU Secretary Carlito G. Galvez, Jr.