MANILA, Philippines – The military is confident that it can help improve the country’s standing in the Global Peace Index (GPI) through a more vigorous implementation of its Bayanihan security plan, which focuses on community development programs and on greater civilian involvement in addressing security concerns.
“Despite the country being included in the 20 nations least at peace, the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) remains optimistic that Bayanihan will bring about desirable and positive results in the long run,” military public affairs chief Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr. told The STAR.
The Philippines is among the 20 nations “least at peace,” based on the GPI.
The GPI, prepared by international research group Institute for Economics and Peace, ranks countries by their peacefulness and aims to determine the factors that sustain peace. The Philippines’ latest GPI ranking was unchanged from the previous GPI edition.
Burgos said the involvement of civilians would contribute to the success of the drive against security threats.
“We are firm in our belief that the approaches we are adopting will not fail us since it is a collective effort of all sectors in the community,” he said.
Burgos said the GPI study may have been conducted during the time when stakeholders are just starting to feel the impact of Bayanihan.
“We will continue to step up our programs that seek to attack the causes of insurgency,” he said.
Bayanihan took effect last Jan. 1 and will be in force until 2016.
The security plan also emphasizes respect for human rights and compliance with international humanitarian law.
Under the plan, the government would hold peace talks with the communist rebels and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) while isolating terrorists and lawless groups.
Burgos said they are hopeful that the communist rebels would eventually give up their armed struggle.
“Hopefully we can also convince the NPA (New People’s Army) to abandon their armed struggle and follow the ways of peace in resolving conflict,” he said.
Burgos noted that the MILF has been helping the government in its peace and development programs.
The government is talking peace with the MILF and the National Democratic Front, the political arm of the CPP-NPA. –Alexis Romero (The Philippine Star)
World Day for Safety and Health at Work
“Safety and health at work every day!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar to carry out the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry recommendations against serious violations of Forced Labour and Freedom of Association protocols.
Accept National Unity Government
(NUG) of Myanmar.
Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands #Distancing #TakePicturesVideos
Monthly Observances:
March – Women’s Role in History Month
April – Month of Planet Earth
Weekly Observances:
Last Week of March: Protection and Gender Fair Treatment of the Girl Child Week
Last Week of April – World Immunization Week
Daily Observances:
Mar 25 – International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transallantic Slave Trade
Mar 27– Earth Hour
Apr 21 – Civil Service Day
Apr 22 – World Earth Day
Apr 28 – World Day for Safety and Health at Work
