MANILA – Despite acknowledging the achievements in the government’s anti-insurgency efforts, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Thursday said the journey towards dismantling communist-terrorist groups in the country remains a “work in progress.”

Speaking during the joint meeting between the National Task Force and Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-RTF-ELCAC) in Region 7 (Central Visayas) in Lapu-Lapu City, he commended the NTF- and RTF-ELCAC for collectively realizing the government’s “holistic and whole-of-the-nation approach” in resolving communist insurgency.

“Your serious efforts to deliver the basic services in conflict-affected areas truly helped in bringing the government closer to the Filipino people,” he said.

He, however, said the government initiative should not stop here.

“The completion of our commitments to achieving peace for the country remains critical in the remaining three months of this administration,” he added.

Duterte enjoined local chief executives in Central Visayas to synergize their local efforts with the NTF RTF-ELCAC in the fight against lawlessness and insurgency and to support the administration’s key programs in achieving sustainable security.

“To the government’s national and local partners in this endeavor, we assure you of the administration’s unrelenting support in your respective initiatives in securing lasting peace,” he said.

Meanwhile, he acknowledged the consequences of continued armed encounters between the military and the communist rebels.

“The idea really is to dismantle. Of course, killing is part of the territory when fighting the communists. Huwag na kayo magtaka na may mamatay diyan (Don’t be surprised if somebody dies there),” he said.

Duterte said his wish for the next administration to continue providing support to the NTF-ELCAC.

“I hope even beyond my term as president our efforts to end local government armed conflict in our regions will never be in vain. The Filipino people deserve a peaceful and prosperous nation and that is what the government should provide. Let us all work hard together for this,” he added.

He also reiterated his earlier pronouncement that at least five party-list groups have formed an alliance with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

Malacañang earlier said Duterte’s statement against the five party-list groups was based on the intelligence community’s report.

During the event in Lapu-Lapu City, Duterte led the ceremonial distribution of cash grants under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) and the awarding of Barangay Development Program (BDP) scholarships to various beneficiaries from Cebu, Negros Oriental and Bohol.

Different government agencies also presented their reports, testimonial videos, as well as additional programs and projects for the benefit of the rebel returnees. (PNA)