“I destroy my enemies
when I make them my friends.”
— Abraham Lincoln
In this chapter, I choose to communicate President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s EO 70, institutionalizing the Whole of Nation Approach in attaining inclusive and sustainable peace by creating a national task force to end local communist armed conflict, and directing the adoption of a national peace framework. The mandate emphasizes the convergence of all bureaus and instrumentalities of the government including national government agencies, local government units, government owned and controlled corporations, the civil society and other stakeholders, and state colleges and universities to render the necessary support to the task force.70
Security forces and various government agencies in the Zamboanga Peninsula have underscored the critical role of the NTF-ELCAC in combating insurgency, with different agencies collaborating to implement a Whole of Nation strategy.
I desired to listen to stories and experiences of how the enduring battle against CTGs have ended in the province of Zamboanga del Sur. I asked some of the leaders and public officials in the Zamboanga Peninsula about its impact on their leadership and the Filipino people’s quality of life. They outlined the benefits of the holistic program. Let their statements be heard to probe the bearing of the Whole of Nation Approach.
__________
I begin with Brigadier General Leonel Nicolas, the commander of the Army’s 102nd Infantry “IGSOON” Brigade (102Bde). His fatherly and uncompromising leadership holds the essentials of generativity and calmness in decision-making. He invited me to attend the 102Bde’s anniversary in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay. I applauded how the program sets its simplicity, short but substantial, and in organized sequence without delay. Snappish in its sense. Then, I intentionally conversed with the host commander in a sumptuous lunch when people were in place. I asked about his personal and professional experiences implementing the Whole of Nation Approach. He jokingly told me that my question seemed very difficult. However, without hesitation, he shared his experience. “In the implementation of EO 70, I saw its significance in addressing the problem. As the brigade commander, I see to it that I provide proper guidance to my subordinates to ensure that they can deliver the mission in accordance with the Whole of Nation Approach without compromises.” He added that this framework reinforces and complements the military’s resources and competencies. This approach is implemented through collaboration and convergence of the distinctive roles of national and local agencies.
He remembers that during the early days of preventing terrorism utilizing the military force, the Army troops felt so alone on the battlefield. But today, the task is seemingly easier and more focused with a full blast of cooperation. Thus, the marching order for the troops is to magnify commitment utilizing their field of expertise to prevent the terrorist groups from spreading violence. The AFP strongly believes that this strategic approach is the most effective solution and the best program in containing the harm of terrorism and ending the communist insurgency in the country.
“Even the battalion commanders have seen the impactful result in two-years-time of implementation. We dismantled the four guerilla fronts,” he said. The 53IB is the first in Western Mindanao to neutralize the Guerilla Front KARA in 2019. It was followed by the 44IB in dismantling Guerilla Front Feliciano Alpha and Guerilla Front 13. The operation was not really hard for BGen. Nicolas because, in this approach, convergence with stakeholders is important. That is why he constantly reminds his people that, “The military serves as catalyzers, facilitators, and stimulators of positive change in our community.”
__________
Granting that the Whole of Nation Approach prefigures the wins in the fight against terrorism through the convergence of government and non-government agencies, I decided to learn from a very conscientious man. He is Paisal Abutazil, the Regional Director of the DILG Region IX. Noticeable in him is his democratic and consultative way of leadership. He values the insights of his people as well as the objective feedback of clients. These leadership principles became essential in growing and sustaining employees commitment and morale. It creates an atmosphere where ideas and creative solutions are translated to high productivity in the workplace. Director Abutazil underscored that the Barangay Development Program (BDP), anchored to the blueprint of the Whole of Nation Approach, is one of the best programs toward socio-economic upliftment of the people with its objective to rehabilitate, develop, and construct farm-to-market roads to the 822 identified barangays nationwide. In Zamboanga del Sur, 28 barangays were granted BDP funding. According to the 53IB, the said barangays were previously influenced by the CPP-NPA-NDF.
He conveyed, “Through coordination and partnership with concerned agencies, essential resources are shared in the battle of securing peace. The Whole of Nation Approach teaches the agencies to work as a team toward a common objective. In this approach, we learn to pull our resources and push together to empower the community and facilitate the delivery of government services in the far-flung areas. It is now clear for the communities that the government reaches out for them to address their needs.”
Personifying the Whole of Nation Approach, he stated, “Let us move farther and continue what we are doing because we are heading to the right direction toward the winning of the gold of peace and development. This is an outstanding program of the government that we need to sustain. We have studied the platform and defined our responsibilities very well for collaboration. And we are truly successful with the evident gains.”
__________
Each day, acts of selflessness resonate on the part of a public servant. Governor Victor Yu and his wife, Congresswoman Divina Grace Yu, visited the 53IB and gave gifts to the friends rescued. In his speech, the humble governor is very proud that Zamboanga del Sur attained the state of being an “insurgency-free and ready for development” province. He pronounced how valuable the Whole of Nation Approach is in its endeavor to keep the community safe from any atrocities of terrorist groups. Additionally, Governor Yu declared that each formerly terrorist-infested barangay received a Php20-million grant under the NTF-ELCAC’s BDP intended for infrastructures which the communities themselves identified during consultative meetings.
In his story, I found out that geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas in the province are no longer difficult to reach due to the construction of different farm-to-market roads. The Whole of Nation Approach strategy resulted to ending the insurgency in our province. “The provincial government will always be supporting the initiatives of the national government. The President’s EO 70 provides measures for the civilian government and the military to collaborate in addressing the five decades of insurgency. Together with the 53IB, we reach out to the barangays to actively participate in the campaign and augment the resources needed to fund the programs. I believe that together, we can have a better peace and development in Zamboanga del Sur,” Governor Yu said.
Congresswoman Yu highlighted, “The road networks that were created in Zamboanga del Sur through the BDP were made possible because of EO 70. This would open many opportunities for our less fortunate people in the barangays.” She also said the friends rescued could be described as the prodigal son and the government as the father in the parable in the Bible. “The friends rescued went astray, and after realizing their mistake, they went back home, and the government is open arms to forgive and help them.”
__________
To have an experience and tangible view that this program planted in our community, I immersed myself in remote communities during those days of groundbreaking ceremonies attended by leaders from different barangays and heads of agencies. What a tremendous and incredible roller coaster ride experience! Numerous folks I have met are ethnically varied. I heard the mayors and barangay Cpt.s expressed their heartfelt appreciation for this milestone affecting the people’s quality of life.
Mayor Domingo Mirrar of the municipality of Lakewood, ZDS said, “After decades of waiting, this pro-poor administration of President Duterte has brought an end to our cry for peace, economic growth, and safety in our community. The construction of roads and attending to our need for electricity are manifestations that we are being heard, noticed, and valued.”
On the other side, one barangay chairman of Lakewood shared that without the Whole of Nation Approach program, the terrorist groups would return to their village. He added that the government officials on the ground must sustain President Duterte’s government initiative to ensure the people’s safety and security, especially the youth.
On the same day, I got the opportunity to talk and observe the children, mothers, fathers, and young people in the adjacent municipality of Tigbao. In many glances, positive emotions appeared on their faces. They were so full of gratitude. Children even said that they want to become soldiers when they grow up. They are all pleased with the government’s effort to transform their lives. The fathers shared openly that they do not need to walk or ride their horses in a very long distance to transport their farm products as vehicles can already pass through their locations. They said that the water system, rural electrification, and construction of roads and educational buildings greatly help their livelihood and future successes.
__________
In the communities I have visited, I saw the consistency of service and hard work of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Region IX, the lead agency for Poverty Reduction, Livelihood, and Employment Cluster (PRLEC) of EO 70. The agency’s advocacy for giving skills training and livelihood programs, including those living in the mountains, is unwavering. TESDA IX Regional Director Dann Navarro stated, “This is necessary because we need to instill a sense of value and care for the Filipino people, especially those situated in a far-reaching communities.”
“We are grateful for the EO 70, which provided for the strong partnerships and convergence with the Army’s 53IB. We can now have peace of mind and sense of security in visiting the most remote areas to deliver our poverty reduction, livelihood, and employment services,” he said with enthusiasm.
__________
The invaluable contribution of the DA Region IX, headed by Regional Executive Director Rad Donn Cedeño is steadfast. Notably, the agency optimized its resources to include funding the construction of farm-to-market roads. Also, they conducted agricultural technology training, including giving of farming equipment and livestock. Cedeño highlighted, “We are here not only to help but to serve. We salute the 53IB soldiers for their efforts in ending the insurgency in the province and by giving a chance for the friends rescued of a better life through the “Project Good Life.” This collaboration in accordance with EO 70 is a result of the 53IB commander Lt. Col. Jo-ar Herrera’s initiative that gave the DA an opportunity to remind the friends rescued that “may pera sa agrikultura at hindi kailangan ng gyera.” (There is wealth in agriculture and war is not needed.)
“The 53IB is an active partner of the DA in implementing our mandates and rendering our sincere services to farmers and fisherfolks. The Matapat troops’ security support in securing our vital stations and the implementation of our farm-to-market projects is a big help to our success in uplifting the lives of our farmers, making it easier for them to bring their harvest to the market,” Cedeño articulated.
“We thank you for climbing the mountains with us as we render our services to our farmers and fisherfolks even where the road ends, and heaven begins,” he concluded.
__________
Miraflor Casanes, Provincial Dircetor of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) ZDS Field Office, said, “My personal appreciation to the strategic efforts of EO 70’s PRLEC is very meaningful. Our engagements with the friends rescued in Project Good Life were very heartwarming.” She had a chance of having a developmental conversation with the friends rescued during their distribution of tools, materials, and equipment for their livelihood starter kits. The beneficiaries were surprised and could not believe it was really intended for them. They repeatedly asked the DOLE personnel if those kits were really for free. At that moment, she realized that the friends rescued could not simply believe that the government was doing that far. Miss Casanes added, “They told us similar stories on poverty and lack of opportunity before when they were living in the far-flung homeplace. But today, they are grateful because the government is taking action to help them sustain their needs even if they committed mistakes against the Philippine Government.”
“Further, I am optimistic that this Whole of Nation Approach program could benefit many people, improve different communities, and promote countryside development. Our office led by DOLE IX Regional Director Atty. Roy Buenafe will continue to undertake the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program for facilitation of wage employment and self-employment. We hope for the continued implementation of EO 70 to achieve total reintegration and mainstreaming of all friends rescued.”
__________
Changing Lives, Building a Safer Nation”. This profound statement conventionally used by the Jail Bureau has never been that far from the Whole-of-Nation Approach of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC). With the involvement of all government agencies—from the national to the barangay level—we recognize that good governance and great care have a great significance in solving communist terrorism. And as such, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology Region IX (BJMP R-IX) maintains its wholehearted support in changing the lives of our friends rescued,” said JCSupt. Baby Noel Montalvo, the Regional Director of BJMP-IX.
__________
One morning, I got the opportunity to speak with the Office of Civil Defense IX’s Regional Director Manuel Luis Ochotorena. I was astounded when he discussed his commitment and honesty to public service. I was intrigued by the type of leadership he possesses. I was amazed when I learned that he is a retired general of the Philippine Army. I listened closely as he expressed, “I wish this EO 70 had been present while I was still in the military. Previously, we believed we were alone in the fight against the insurgency. But today, we sense cooperation and full force in combating the plight of terrorism. Combat operations is not the only means of putting an end to the insurgency. The government must collaborate to solve the problem of communist insurgency and address the needs of the barangays. The Whole of Nation Approach has a very significant impact on the felt peace and development in our society today,” RD Ochotorena shared.
__________
I had fresh discoveries on leadership insights with Lt. Col. Filven Noche, the commanding officer of the Philippine Army’s 44IB based in Imelda, Zamboanga Sibugay. I am impressed by his interpersonal skills. He shared that a Whole of Nation Approach is the most effective strategy for defeating insurgency. He added that the strategy is consistent with ELCAC’s fundamental objective of assembling the various government and non-government institutions. Its mandate has a significant impact from the national level, all the way down to the barangay level.
When I asked him how did he incorporate his leadership abilities in implementing the mandate of the President, he responded, “I always follow the art of command and the science of control to perform my work more effectively.” He further expounded that a leader must have the techniques and resources to bring out the best in the troops. At the same time, critical thinking skills are a necessary component of the science of control, which is developed by quality training and experience, the genuine meta-skills of fostering camaraderie, providing high-quality training, and fostering confidence in the direction of managerial and quality leadership. He explained how he created and learned tactics for completing his military job without mediocrity through regular exposure and learning.
Lt. Col. Noche unequivocally stated that he was motivated by possessing a personal road map. It is natural for him to establish a personal mission and vision for achieving his goals, particularly during his military career. For him, a critical component of leadership is imparting learned knowledge and operationalizing or translating it with the troops. He referred to this as “knowledge management.”
In our conversion, we discussed that dismantling insurgency requires internal and external forces, which comprise human strengths and weaknesses, and scanning the intended environment for threats and possibilities. There are a slew of push and pull forces, including generational injustices, a lack of infrastructure, a lack of farm-to-market roads, access to education, and a focus on productivity and livelihood. The lack of awareness of indigenous people’s rights is shown throughout the dialogue. Their struggle for ancestral property is vital since they are most vulnerable to CTG recruitment in the Zamboanga Peninsula. Understanding their agricultural lives, their tribe, political systems of government, and the dynamics of culture and a bundle of rights are critical for resolving inconsistencies in the development process. Thus, inter-ethnic discourse can facilitate a proactive and strategic solution.
He told me that terrorism is only a means to an end. Scare tactics instill fear and sympathy to acquire political power and resource control. This means that we will be unable to defeat the insurgency independently. Lt. Col. Noche’s insights on the Whole of Nation Approach was spot-on: “To press the fight and finish what we have started. May the Whole of Nation Approach influence those relatively few people who are resistant to change to achieve continuity, sustainability, and unity of its objectives and current progress.”
__________
I sat opposite a lawyer, Atty. Jose Ruel Saniel, at a Local Peace Building Forum on ELCAC hosted by the 53IB. I appreciated hearing someone with a high spiritual intelligence speak about his experience and relationship with the transcendent, God in his life. Part of his advocacy is to provide awareness about the Anti-Terrorism Law, or Republic Act 11479. He is an exceptional public speaker who elevated my level of knowledge regarding the plight of friends rescued with criminal cases in various forms. Utilizing the legal perspective, he considers the Whole of Nation Approach as the hallmark of the Legal Cooperation Cluster that primarily offers free legal assistance to the friends rescued to clear any legal impediments so they can receive the benefits under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP). “The Legal Cooperation Cluster is significant in the government’s campaign in encouraging the communist terrorists to come back in the folds of the law. The friends rescued must be cleared of any criminal liabilities so they can avail of the benefits offered by the government,” Atty. Saniel said.
Lt. Col. Herrera remarked, “We need to have this convergence with the Legal Cooperation Cluster to help the friends rescued in resolving their cases and prepare them for their transition to the mainstream society.” The Legal Cooperation Cluster was established through the initiatives of Lt. Col. Herrera and the ZDS Provincial Legal Office headed by Atty. Jackie Bana. It was officially launched in September 2020 at 53IB Headquarters, Villanueva Road, Camp Sabido, Guipos, Zamboanga del Sur.
___________
One afternoon, I met a very outspoken man. He is Lt. Col. Marlowe Patria. The former battalion commander of 53IB from February 2018 to March 2020. “With the Whole of Nation Approach, there is a change for the better. In this mandate, we are constantly reminded to challenge the status quo. Let us not fail our constituents as ELCAC has an excellent vision. We should realize that the insurgency problem needs to have a collaborative intervention. We cannot kill all our enemies, but we can win them all. We cannot change an idea, but we can change the concept better. Information is critical because it alone can address the problem,” he emphasized.
Further, he is giving a premium to partnerships with the youth sector. He shared that if young people are treated well, they will not go astray. In his perspective, valuing the youths’ potential is one of the best weapons in preventing terrorist recruitment in our society. Mentoring the youth should be fair as they are very sensitive and idealistic. “We need to face the fact that we should act as their mentors. We have to be echo-conscious. He finally highlighted capacitating and supporting the youth so they would reciprocate. They should realize that all these things that we do to provide assistance for them have an end. So they should be self-sufficient,” he added.
__________
When Mayor Vicente Cajeta of Guipos, ZDS, was young, he already saw much of CPP-NPA-NDF in his hometown. He said that miscommunication is the cause of the aggravation of the insurgency. “Many joined the communist insurgency because of poverty, inequality, and openly abusive military personnel. One of the factors I have observed among the people who joined the terrorist activities are those who have the attitude of laziness. They were seemingly dependent,” Cajeta said.
“President Duterte’s EO 70 is a holistic approach in addressing the problem of communist insurgency. Through the concerted efforts of the military and local government units and agencies, we have seen the end of the CTGs,” the mayor stressed. “Now, the soldiers are very different, unlike before, because they are now well-trained and professionals, unlike in the 1980s, when the military was very cruel to civilians. The ELCAC program, a tremendous and ingenious concept, is one of the best practices of the Duterte administration to combat the communist insurgency. In this endeavor, the people’s needs are being addressed and given much attention. The government listens to the voice of the people. I hope his successor will continue what President Duterte has started,” Cajeta pronounced.
__________
Mayor Angelito L. Martinez II of San Miguel, ZDS, highlighted that the concept of President Duterte’s EO 70 Whole of Nation Approach is perfect for diminishing the communist insurgency. “EO 70 laid down a pro-active and collaborative strategy. The only challenge is the proper implementation in order for us to reap what we have sowed for peace and security.”
Mayor Martinez declared, “As the Army is at the forefront of ending the local communist armed conflict, the essence of the Whole of Nation Approach is the harmonious participation of the civilian government and non-government organization with the military’s initiatives. In the municipality of San Miguel, I am encouraged to give full support because I can see the 53IB’s sincerity and consistency in their efforts to end the insurgency problem.”
“The Whole of Nation Approach provided us with a transformative mindset toward solving the communist terrorism problem. For the first time, the leaders from national to regional, down to municipal and barangay levels, work together in addressing core and root causes of the insurgency, including the socio-economic and geographical challenges,” Martinez concluded.
__________
In a Youth Leadership Forum, I met the OIC-RD of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) IX, a very grounded and brilliant speaker. He is an expert in his field with so much compassion to guide the young generations to be mindful of the overt and covert strategies of the CPP-NPA-NDF recruiters who lurk in the dark, looking for their next victim. In his speech are the words worth embodying. He asked, “Are we sure our children are not members of these groups? Do we just let them join the rallies of these groups? We may be surprised one day when we find out that they are also members and have been brainwashed by these groups. These so-called ‘activists,’ clothed as men in robes, congressmen, teachers, and students, are part of a terrorist organization that destroys families and kills children. The front organizations of the CPP-NPA-NDF provide funding and, at the same time, serve as recruitment centers. They are wolves in sheep’s clothing, and our children are easy prey to their sweet-talking recruiters who romanticize terrorism to topple the constitutional government. They brainwash our children and fill them with radical ideas to create new identities. Once recruited, our children will tend to question everything we have taught them since they were young,” Pulgo explained.
He encouraged the forum participants to inform our children about the CTGs. “Take the first step by informing and warning our children of everything we heard today about the true color of the CPP-NPA-NDF. They can only be empowered to protect themselves from these groups if they have the correct information. Attend orientations such as these to make our children aware of their deception. The CTG infiltrated almost all sectors of our society. They pretend to be a champion of the interest and welfare of our people. But, in truth they are only exploiting their plight to serve their interest. Beware of spurious ‘immersion’ and ‘leadership training’ hosted by activists.”
He illustrated the possible indicators that the children are being recruited by the front groups:
•-They are being politically argumentative and critical of the government;
•-They see nothing good in the government and question authorities such as the police and the military;
•-They question the authority of their parents over them; and
•-They deny the existence of God and the Supreme Being.
Pulgo said the children should be brought closer to God. “Our most treasured possession and our compass, our true north to guide us in the right direction. Let us bring our children closer to God to help them distinguish the truth from all the lies around them. Teach our children patriotism and love of country. Let us take pride in being Filipinos and support our government because, despite all its imperfections, our government was established by the people, for the people.
A strong nation starts with a strong sense of community, and community means caring for each other and aspiring for common dreams. The world we have created is the product of our thinking; it cannot be changed without changing our thinking. No one is born a communist; communists are made, they are fueled, and there is no single pathway for radicalization or speed at which it happens. The CPP-NPA-NDF pandemic is a deadly virus that has contaminated the Philippine society for more than 53 years.
On President Duterte’s EO 70, Pulgo explained, “We have to finish communist insurgency. We cannot afford to pass it on to the next generation. It has to be now. Cut off the supply of new fighters and ultimately drain the CTG members through the strategic agenda of Whole of Nation Approach.”
__________
The Philippine Army’s 1st Infantry “TABAK” Division commander Major General Gene Ponio stated, “For 53 years, the CPP-NPA-NDF has committed countless atrocities in the Province of Zamboanga del Sur by targeting vulnerable communities and innocent civilians. Without remorse, the terrorists killed their fellow Filipinos, extorted huge sums of money, and hampered government infrastructure projects by destroying heavy equipment intended to bring basic services to the people, especially those located in remote hinterlands and geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas.”
“This five-decade-long insurgency perpetrated by the CPP-NPA-NDF in the province was diminished by the 53IB and other Army units in the Zamboanga Peninsula. Our stakeholders have carefully carried out the mandate of EO 70, which was signed by President Duterte and intelligently planning out every move, thereby staying ahead of the enemy,” he said.
“The 53IB has effectively and efficiently implemented its strategy founded on leadership, building trust, and communicating the strategy. Using close partnership and convergence, the 53IB and its stakeholders continue to address the causes of insurgency at the grassroots, eventually winning the people’s hearts and minds and denying the enemy of the people’s support,” Major General Ponio emphasized.
“The development projects funded by the BDP that are now being implemented in terrorism-infested areas, particularly in the Zamboanga Peninsula can significantly create an impact to the extinction of the communist insurgency. All of these are firmly grounded on President Duterte’s EO 70, bringing together local government units, national and regional government agencies, non-government organizations, the police, and the military in addressing the root causes and finally ending the communist insurgency. “We need to fight the CPP-NPA-NDF as one to end their atrocities. There is no single agency that can defeat terrorism. Stopping terrorism is a shared responsibility. We need to unite. The President has taken the lead through the NTF-ELCAC to unite the Filipino people based on the platform of good governance,” Major General Ponio conluded.
__________
REFLECTIONS
The stories and experiences
of how the various stakeholders
collaborated to battle
the long running insurgency
in the country depict
victory in time of convergence.
With our leaders’ garnered chronicles with the Whole of Nation Approach, it is observed that the essential political, military, and socio-economic improvements are intensively delivered. The most significant chunk of the Whole of Nation Approach strategy is the socio-economic program that contributes mainly to the upliftment of people’s quality of life, especially among the widely inaccessible and geographically isolated communities. Indeed, it is a milestone in achieving peace and development in the Philippines. It brings so much interest. It conveys hope and inspiration. Contextualizing the motivations of the friend rescued by understanding their psychological core is significant. Analyzing these components, one can have a closer view of preventing terrorist recruitment among the vulnerable sectors. A more comprehensive understanding of this approach allows me to view the EO 70 from the perspective of the storytellers’ felt narratives. Despite the strengths of EO 70, I have noticed what needs to be improved. Through analysis and contextualization of the lived experiences and motivations of the friends rescued. The physiological and psychological motivations were uncovered, leading me to fill in the knowledge gap and conceptualize a psychoeducation program anchored on the Whole of Nation Approach. This intervention program reinforced and concretized the agenda of the soft power approach to understand the push and pull factors in joining the terrorist organization.
This book uncovers the psychology of terrorist. The friends rescued are broken souls with broken spirits. In my thoughts, this is a missing element. The trichotomy of a human being: the body, the soul, and the spirit cannot be underestimated. You cannot see them in your naked eye, but you can feel them if you listen. These elements need to be addressed. Interestingly, the Whole of Nation Approach advances the implementation of preventing and countering violent extremism and deradicalization programs in the country.
The effectiveness of EO 70 gained common positive lived experiences. And leaders’ stories have driven me to pursue and impart the God-given skills and resources. My life’s purpose of helping humanity achieve true healing and authentic happiness besets freedom in me. Expounding and inspiring one, two, or more people who are victims of the past manipulation mediates healing of the broken souls and spirits. Hence, the Project Good Life, a deradicalization program, was conceived to help bring the friends rescued to mainstream society and embrace a reformed life.
Leave a Reply