Those old enough from the 1970s to the 1990s would no doubt be familiar with regular news reports of armed encounters between government forces and the Maoist-led New People’s Army in various parts of the country from north to south, and between the military and Muslim rebels in southern Philippines.
The government was fighting a two-pronged war then, one against the communist-led NPA, and the other against Muslim separatists. But with an uncertain political situation with both economic and social impacts, calls for peace gained momentum over the years.
The Cory Aquino government initiated peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines, NPA and their political arm, the National Democratic Front, in 1987. But the peace talks collapsed soon enough due to disagreement on the demand by the CPP-NPA-NDF to share political power through a coalition government.
The succeeding administrations of Fidel Ramos, Joseph Estrada, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Noynoy Aquino and Rodrigo Duterte all tried to resume the stalled peace talks with the CPP-NPA-NDF, but to no avail, as the rebels took a hardline position on continuing their “protracted people’s war” and seizing control of state power.
The Marcos Jr. administration again initiated the resumption of peace talks with the CPP-NPA-NDF and announced in November 2023 an agreement for the two sides to hold formal talks. But so far, this has not happened.
The Marcos Jr. administration has tasked the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity headed by Secretary Carlito Galvez, a former AFP Chief of Staff, to spearhead efforts to attain peace.
Part of these efforts is to oversee the transition to self-rule by the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao or BARMM through the parliamentary elections in 2015 coinciding with the national midterm elections.
At present, the OPAPRU is also busy consolidating the gains in the peace process with a breakaway group of the CPP-NPA-NDF.
The government forged a peace pact with the communist Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa-Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPM-P/RPA/ABB) in 2000 after a series of negotiations.
In 2007, the RPA-ABB split into two factions. By April 2013, the RPA-ABB had rebranded as Kapatiran para sa Progresong Panlipunan and renounced the use of violence. The OPAPRU has made big strides in reintegrating the former combatants into the mainstream of society.
Once engaged in armed conflict, the group has transitioned to becoming a partner in nation-building, embracing initiatives aimed at fostering economic and social progress.
Kapatiran’s journey from insurgency to peace “exemplifies the possibilities of transformation when dialogue and mutual understanding prevail,” according to OPAPRU.
The government agency deserves commendation as its various programs have led to former combatants getting opportunities for productive livelihoods, education, and skills training, reflecting the administration’s commitment to ensuring their seamless reintegration into the mainstream of society.
