BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya—The Philippine Army is pushing for localized peace talks with the New People’s Army rebels in the countryside as an alternative solution to address lasting ceasefire and peace in the countryside.
Col. Bob Bacarro, commanding officer of the Army’s 502nd Brigade based in Echague, Isabela, said they are currently collaborating with local government units and other national government agencies to encourage members of the NPA to lay down their arms and embrace the government’s amnesty program.
“We will be reaching out to them through our local government leaders and their relatives so that once they surrender, they will be assisted according to their socioeconomic needs,” Bacarro said during the recent joint meeting of the Provincial Peace and Order and Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Councils at the Pasalubong Center in Barangay Magsaysay here.
Bacarro said the local peace initiative was proposed following the failure of the NPA in adhering to the ceasefire conditions of the government peace panel, and instead intensified their attacks on government forces and vital installations in the country.
He said their peace advocacy program will provide local counterparts on the guidelines for the proposed peace talks with the communist insurgents.
“This involves visitation to various barangays, especially those who are severely affected areas to educate them on the NPA’s plans and operations. This will be undertaken with the assistance of other government agencies,” Bacarro said.
The local Army commander’s proposal comes as the national government on Monday slammed NPA for its attack of a police station in Iloilo over the weekend, which it called both “opportunistic and intentional.”
Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said the “ill-timed” and “unfortunate” attack in Iloilo happened just as the government decided to cease offensive operations against the NPA in response to a similar action from the National Democratic Front of the Philippines.
On Sunday, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Silvestre Bello III said government forces will cease its offensive operations against the NPA to reciprocate the NDFP’s declaration to refrain from undertaking offensive operations in Mindanao.
However, on the same day, around 50 armed men believed to be members of the NPA raided the Maasin municipal police station, reportedly taking 11 M-16 rifles, four pistols, ammunition, and VHF radios.
Still, Bacarro expressed optimism that with their local peace initiative activities, “positive indicators” have been achieved with the recent surrender of several communist rebels and their firearms in various parts of Cagayan Valley.
Bacarro also said several members of the NPA expressed disappointment over the use of their money for the personal interest of their leaders.
“We hope that we can encourage them to negotiate with the local peace initiative so that their issues and concerns will be addressed, and they can be given better services for the improvement of their lives,” he said.
However, Bacarro said the AFP is still on heightened alert with the previous attacks of the NPA in police and military stations in Cagayan Valley.