The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said the reintegration of 37,413 former rebels and violent extremists to civil society since 2016 has proven that the government can handle conflicts without bloodshed and human rights abuses. In a statement, the CHR urged an end to hostilities as it invited anti-government forces to cease their attacks and focus instead on peace efforts. Instead of addressing conflict with conflict, the CHR said the government should focus on the root causes of conflict such as poverty, unequal treatment, and marginalization. "In the same vein, we continue to urge the government to amplify holistic and peaceful efforts with human rights at its core in addressing and preventing grievances and issues that fuel conflict," it stressed. The CHR lauded the reintegration of the former rebels and violent extremists. It noted the report of the Task Force Balik Loob (TFBL) that 10,637 former rebels were granted livelihood and reintegration benefits, as well as firearms remuneration, through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP). "The CHR commends these developments and supports the government’s efforts to handle armed conflict through peaceful means.” It said that Department of National Defense (DND) Undersecretary Angelito M. de Leon, chairperson of the TFBL, reported that they have acquired surrendered weapons worth approximately P151 million and provided P164.5 million worth of reintegration program benefits to former rebels and violent extremists. It also said that TFBL reported that an additional P322.8 million worth of livelihood assistance was provided by TFBL’s partner agencies. It pointed out that E-CLIP and Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA), another government initiative to take care of former rebels, is a "sustainable" effort since it provides livelihood, housing, education, and improved access of communities to basic necessities and government services. "TFBL -- itself composed of multi-sectoral lead agencies covering defense, governance, housing, and peacebuilding -- shows that multi-sectoral collaborations serve crucial roles in preventing further violence, conflict, and division," the CHR noted.