The Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front is against the government’s plan to intensify the implementation of socioeconomic interventions in conflict-ridden communities because the organization is fast losing its clout and relevance, according to Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito G. Galvez Jr.
“The number of rebel returnees grows day by day because they have realized that the government already has programs and policies in place that aim to address their needs and general welfare. Hence, there is no more reason for them to bear arms and pursue armed struggle,” he said.
“The armed struggle has no legitimacy in a civilized society. Armed violence is an anathema of peace and development, and the CPP-NPA should be disbanded,” Galvez added.
He believed that CPP founder Jose Maria Sison’s continued attacks on the government’s peace agenda was a response to the successful implementation of Executive Order 70 which institutionalized a “Whole-of-Nation Approach,” implementation of good governance, and promotion of social justice to end the decades-long communist rebellion.
“Sison and company are working overtime to sabotage the implementation of EO No. 70 because their organization will be rendered irrelevant. Obviously, they are hurting because of the government’s successes on its current inclusive peace and developments efforts,” Galvez said.
LPE gains so much ground
EO 70 has led to the creation of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, which has 12 clusters. Among these clusters is Localized Peace Engagements.
Galvez said Sison must understand that EO 70 is “people-centered and community-based in finding lasting solutions on the root causes of social divides and conflict; and not a military security operations as how Sison tried to label and demonize it.”
EO 70 is anchored in serving the people, their families, their communities and improving their social conditions and their lives for an enduring peace and inclusive growth.
“EO 70 has nothing to do with military combat operations but more on how to harmonize our government instrumentalities and services in addressing the needs of our people. EO 70’s ultimate objectives are on the attainment of social justice and equitable service to humanity through the LPEs,” Galvez explained.
LPE, among others, aims to empower people, make communities conflict-resilient, and provide a safe and direct line of communication between the government, the people and rebels who want to give up armed struggle.
Debunking Sison’s claim
Earlier this month, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte distributed P 11.9 million in immediate cash assistance to 262 former rebels in Leyte under the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program.
The cash assistance had been released through the local agencies and people’s cooperatives.
In November 2019, 35 members of the CPP-NPA’s Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee availed of the E-CLIP after LPEs were successfully conducted in the Zamboanga Peninsula.
The rebel returnees, who are now living peaceful and productive lives as civilians, have promised to convince their comrades to lay down their arms and return to the folds of the law.
At present, thousands of armed regular members and supporters are now enjoying the dividends of the government programs for NPA combatants and their families.
“In order to achieve peace, we need to address the root causes of the conflict and insurgency. We are already doing it right now through a more comprehensive, efficient and timely delivery of basic services and livelihood assistance programs for the former members of the NPA and the affected-communities,” Galvez said.
Era of good governance
Responding to Sison’s claim that the P21-billion funds for conflict-affected barangays “will only be a kind of racket for military officers who will pocket the money,” the Presidential Peace Adviser pointed out that the communist leader is grossly misinformed and outdated in his outlook.
“The funds will not be released to the Armed Forces of the Philippines but directly to the local government units, communities and people’s organization. The implementation of the different projects will follow stringent finance regulations such as accounting and auditing procedures,” Galvez emphasized.
“Maybe Sison is talking to himself because their financial system is being controlled by only a few and mostly their ‘party wives’ are acting as finance officers. Their management system is dictatorial wherein ‘financial opportunism’ and corruption are very prevalent,” Galvez disclosed.
Galvez said that communities across the country have largely benefited from government programs and policies which are primarily designed to improve socio-economic conditions in these remote and conflict-stricken areas.
“Sison is so far away from what is actually happening on the ground, in which case he is either unaware or just ignoring the positive developments that are happening to these communities. Sison has no moral high ground and is not in the right mind to judge and prevent what is good for the Filipino people,” Galvez said.
