The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday activated its secretariat for the Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Council (JPSCC).

This office will be the focal point for the military and will perform secretariat functions for the AFP chief, who co-chairs the council along with the chiefs of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

“The recent decisive accomplishments in terms of internal security and law enforcement operations clearly demonstrate the close cooperation and collaborative efforts of the AFP, PNP, and PCG,” AFP chief of staff Gen. Jose Faustino Jr. said in a speech delivered by deputy chief of staff Vice Adm. Erick Kagaoan in a short ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

“The importance of this newly activated office is made more relevant and timely as we sustain the tempo of our security operations to weaken our state’s adversaries,” he added.

Formerly enclosed in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations or J-3 in military parlance, the secretariat was elevated in response to the increased operational and administrative requirements with the inclusion of the PCG as a member of the JPSCC and ramping up of collaborative efforts among the member agencies.

Brig. Gen. Alex Rillera, current assistant deputy chief of staff for operations (A-J3), will lead the secretariat.

The inclusion of the PCG as a member of JPSCC is expected to complement and expand capabilities on enforcing maritime law and in protecting our maritime environment.

Earlier in July, the AFP and the PNP signed Resolution No. 11-2021 that included the PCG into the JPSCC and designated its Commandant as one of the co-chairpersons.

The three chiefs also signed JPSCC Letter Directive No. 03-2021 which called for the reorganization of the coordinating center. In the revised structure, the National JPSCC will now be headed by the AFP, PNP, and PCG chiefs while AFP Unified Commanders, PNP Directors for Integrated Police Operation, and PCG Area Commanders will exercise supervision over the Regional and Provincial JPSCCs.

The directive also stipulates that cooperation and coordination among the AFP, PNP, and PCG complemented by collaboration and consultation with all stakeholders shall be the guiding principle in addressing peace and security concerns.

“The volatility and complexity of the security environment compel us to review and assess our approaches and formulate new strategies. We in the AFP are profoundly committed to working closely with the PNP and the PCG in order to maximize the effectiveness and reach of our efforts,” Faustino said. (PNA)