Bumuo na ng national task force si Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte upang matuldukan na ang problema sa mga komunistang rebelde sa bansa.

Ito ang nakasaad sa Executive Order No. 70 ni Duterte kung saan pangungunahan nito ang task force na lilikha at magpatutupad ng “National Peace Framework” kung saan nakapaloob ang development at peace-building initiatives sa mga lugar na apektado ng digmaan.

Magsisilbing vice chairman ng task force ang National Security Adviser na mayroong 18 opisyal na mula sa iba’t ibang ahensiya ng pamahalaan at dalawa naman mula pribadong sektor bilang mga miyembro nito.

“There is a need to reframe and refocus the government policy for achieving inclusive and sustainable peace by recognizing the insurgencies, internal disturbances and tensions, and other armed conflicts and threats are not only military and security concerns but are symptomatic of broader social, economic and historical problems such as poverty, historical injustice, social inequality, and lack of inclusivity,” bahagi ng executive order ng Pangulo.

Pinapahintulutan din ng nasabing EO ang task force na maglabas ng National Peace Framework kung saan nakapaloob ang paglikha ng mga mekanismo para sa localized peace talks at ipatupad ito sa loob ng anim na buwan.

“To ensure efficient and effective implementation of the whole-of-Nation approach, a National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (Task Force) is hereby created under the Office of the President,” sabi pa ng kautusan ng Punong Ehekutibo.

Kabilang din sa miyembro ng task force ay ang mga kalihim ng Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Justice, Department of National Defense, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Budget and Management, Department of Finance, Department of Agrarian Reform, Social Welfare and Development, at Department of Education, National Economic and Development Authority director general, at National Intelligence Coordinating Agency director general.

-Genalyn D. Kabiling