Ex-NPA leaders object national peace talks with CPP-NPA-NDF

Former Guerilla Front 55 Secretary, Arian Jane Ramos alias Marikit  expressed objection to the peace talks recommended by the city in her message during the dialogue with National Security Adviser, Secretary Clarita R Carlos,  Thursday (August 11) at the headquarters of 1003rd Infantry Brigade at Kalinaw Village, Mahayag, Bunawan District.

She said resuming the peace negotiation is a betrayal to the Filipino people and a disgrace to the nation’s achievements in dismantling the CPP-NPA-NDF.

Ramos cited the peace negotiations in 2016 where the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee leveraged their guerilla units by exploiting the ceasefire for base consolidation, recovery, and expansion.

Ramos recalled the atrocities committed by the Communist Terrorist Groups in Southeastern Mindanao, and how they used the peace talks to advance their armed struggle. 

Joy James Saguino alias Amihan, former Deputy Secretary of Sub-Regional Committee One also expressed his commitment to help and volunteer to be part of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-Elcac) to put an end to this communist insurgency. 

He said insurgency exists due to lack of good governance, transparency, and accountability. 

“Kasi once walang good governance, walang social services, insurgency ay parating nandyan para umusbong," Saguino said.

He said through the efforts of the Philippine Army’s 10th Infantry Division, even the farthest communities have been made accessible for better livelihood and delivery of government services.

Carlos, for her part, reminded the former NPA rebels not to put the government in the vortex of their lives and encouraged them to become resolute individuals as she congratulated them for having the courage to come back to the folds of the government. 

“You can advocate any belief system, but we really have a problem when you move away from just believing in these things, and taking action to overthrow the government of the day,” Carlos added.

10th ID Commander Major General Nolasco A Mempin said that the presence of the former rebels is a testament of the peace that has been attained in their area.

Also present in the dialogue were Officer-in-Charge of the Department of National Defense, Senior Undersecretary Jose C Faustino Jr.

The 1003rd IB of the 10th ID finished the insurgency, five months before President Rodrigo Duterte's term ended on June 30.

The soldiers neutralized a total of 104 NPAs and recovered 100 firearms.