In observance of the Holy Week, the Philippine News Agency’s online news service will be off on March 29, Good Friday, and March 30, Black Saturday. Normal operations will resume on March 31, Easter Sunday.

— The Editors

PRRD names adviser on local extremist groups concerns

By Azer Parrocha

December 10, 2018, 8:48 pm

MANILA -- President Rodrigo R. Duterte has named retired military official Yusop Jimlani as the new Presidential Adviser on Local Extremist Groups Concerns.

Duterte signed Jimlani’s appointment paper on Dec. 6 but it was released to media on Monday.

According to the paper, Jumlani will have the rank of Undersecretary under the Office of the President.

Prior to his appointment as adviser, Jimlani served as a director of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority.

He was also former consultant of Duterte when he was mayor of Davao City.

Jumlani’s appointment came two days after Duterte ordered the creation of a national task force to end local communist armed conflict and adopt a national peace framework.

Under Executive Order No. 70, the task force will be tasked to formulate a National Peace Framework which shall include, among others, a mechanism for local peace engagements or negotiations and interventions within six months.

The Whole-of-Nation approach “prioritizes the delivery of basic services and social development packages by the government, facilitates societal inclusivity, and ensures active participation of all sectors of the society in the pursuit of the country's peace agenda.”

Duterte will lead the task force as chair while the National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. will serve as Vice Chair.

It will also be composed of 18 top government officials and two representatives from the private sector. (PNA)

Comments