MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte created a national task force that seeks to put an end to local armed conflicts in the country. Duterte ordered the creation of the task force through Executive Order 70, which was signed on December 4. The task force will be chaired by the chief executive, while National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon will serve as the vice-chair. Secretaries of various agencies will become members of the task force. The functions of the task force include formulating and starting to implement a “whole-of-nation” approach-driven National Peace Framework within six months from the issuance of the order and developing peace constituency plans in case of a ceasefire to enable local chief executives to facilitate local peace engagements.

Source: Philippine Star December 10, 2018 06:43 UTC