Marcos orders DND: Dismantle private armies
Defense chief Carlito Galvez Jr. speaking during the 11th oversight committee meeting of the National Task Force for the Disbandment of Private Armed Groups held in Cotabato in Kidapawan City. (Photo from the DND)
MANILA, Philippines — Following the recent shooting attacks on local government officials, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. ordered the Department of National Defense to dismantle private armies.
On Friday, defense chief Carlito Galvez Jr. made the pronouncement during the 11th oversight committee meeting of the National Task Force for the Disbandment of Private Armed Groups held in Cotabato in Kidapawan City.
“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’,” Galvez said, quoting the president.
For his part, Interior Secretary and the task force’s chairperson Benjamin Abalos said the Department of Interior and Local Government is willing to assist in freeing the country from its “long-running gun culture.”
“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,” Abalos also said.
“Let us continue working together in tearing down the walls of divisiveness and animosity of partisan politics as we move towards giving our kababayans the peaceful and thriving communities they deserve,” he added.
The order comes after a high-profile investigation began when Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and eight provincial staff and constituents were killed. Sixteen others, including three provincial officials, were also wounded in a gun attack in the governor’s residence in Pamplona town on March 4.
Marcos has ordered the formation of a joint military and police task force to pursue the remaining suspects to the killings of Degamo, according to Galvez.
To recall, Aparri, Cagayan vice mayor Rommel Alameda, Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Adiong Jr., and Datu Montawal, Maguindanao mayor Mayor Ohto Caumbo Montawal, were also victims of shooting incidents.
