Migrante Australia has lambasted Major General Antonio Parlade Jr, the newly-appointed chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Southern Luzon Command (Solcom), as they came out of the meeting, organized by the newly opened Philippine Consulate General in Melbourne, disgusted and deceived by the real intention of the community briefing.

President Rodrigo Duterte had earlier issued Executive Order 70 (EO 70) providing for a Whole-of-Nation approach in defeating the Local Communist Terrorist Groups.

A National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) was created “to synchronize the utilization of the government’s instrumentalities of power with the capabilities of private sector stakeholders to finally end the 50-year long deceit, lies and atrocities committed by the communist terrorists against the people.”

“The President himself is leading the way by taking the role of National Task Force Commander, he is demonstrating resolve to fulfill his vow to provide a better future for the Filipino people,” according to a communication in Malacanang.

During the meeting in Melbourne, the Filipino community leaders and organizations became the captive audience of Parlade, who was previously the chief of staff for civil-military operations, J7.

He was accompanied by three other AFP members.

The briefing was about the National Task Force to End Local Armed Conflict (NTF ELCAC) which – in its own words “aims to implement an efficient mechanism and structure for the whole-of nation approach to end the aspiration of the Filipino people to attain inclusive and sustainable peace.”

“From Europe, the NTF has now come to Australia in its frantic attempt to discredit organizations that are exposing the issues and crimes of the Duterte regime. The NTF spread lies, attack critics of the Duterte government and red-tag organisations such as Migrante Australia and other civil society groups opposing Duterte’s anti-people policies and activities,” said Migrante Australia.

Migrante Australia said the invitation letter stated that the briefing will provide attendees, important updates on the peace initiative of the Philippine government under President Rodrigo Duterte.

While it was a surprising effort, Migrante Australia said they saw nonetheless the importance of such an initiative especially as peace talks is a concern for every Filipino including migrant Filipinos who continue to be affected by the state of unpeace in the Philippines. “Hence, its attendance to the briefing,” they said.

However, Migrante Australia said, “one again, the briefing proves the Duterte government’s insincerity and lack of seriousness in tackling the issue of peace especially its root causes.”

If it was serious, the government should have not cancelled the peace talks with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) and should refrain from its off and on “lets resume the talks” innuendos, the group said.

The Filipino people has been longing for peace – and peace is not just about laying down arms – it is really about addressing genuine land reform and national industrialization to create jobs so that Filipinos do not need to leave their families and seek employment abroad, they said.

Migrante Australia said they have a track record of advocacy, welfare and support to Filipino migrants in Australia. /STACY ANG