ILOILO City – No peace negotiations in the national level? No problem, according to the commander of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) based in Jamindan, Capiz.
Localized peace talks could better address the insurgency problem in Western Visayas, said Brigadier General Dinoh Dolina.
Last week, Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Maria Sison said the National Democratic Front of the Philippines would no longer negotiate with the Duterte administration and instead join with forces out to topple the government.
President Rodrigo Duterte belittled Sison’s threat, saying he had no problem “if they are not willing to talk to me.”
Dolina said localized peace negotiations with the New People’s Army – the armed wing of the communist party – were a better and more feasible option.
But “local governments (should help) mediate,” he stressed, “Kasi, kung kami lang, hindi namin magawa.”
The Armed Forces of the Philippines is in charge of internal security operations.
“Not only the local governments but all stakeholders such as the church. I’m pushing for local peace talks kasi malaki ang maitulong nito sa campaign against insurgents,” said Dolina.
Citing the stream of rebels surrendering to the military and police, Dolina expressed confidence the insurgency problem in Panay Island may be resolved by the end of this year.
“I’m so positive. That is our target so we need everybody’s support,” said Dolina.
He estimated the number of armed rebels in Western Visayas at 380 – 150 in Panay Island and the rest in Negros Island.
Since June 2016, 25 rebels in Region 6 had surrendered, said Donila.
The 3ID commander also said the NPA’s recruitment even of minors indicated that the rebels’ ranks were dwindling.
“Ang patuloy na pag-surrender ng mga rebelde nagpapakita na we are on the right track. Nakikita nila na serious ang ating pamahalaan na bigyan sila ng livelihood at maayos na paninirahan dito sa baba,” Dolina added.
Data from the Police Regional Office 6 showed eight rebels so far surrendered this year between January to June – four in Capiz, three in Antique and one in Iloilo.
Yesterday, Dolina had a dialogue with 39 former rebels at the 301ist Infantry Brigade headquarters in Dingle, Iloilo. He urged them to organize an association and develop a comprehensive local integration program for insurgents.
In Manila yesterday, Malacañang urged the self-exiled Sison to return and help the government’s efforts to build comfortable live for Filipinos.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Sison should accept the invitation of President Duterte to conduct peace negotiations in the Philippines and not in other countries.
“It is not the government’s fault that the peace talks did not push through. It was Joma who backed out. We are Filipinos. What the President had said, let’s talk peace here,” Roque said.
He said Sison should not worry about his safety since Duterte has assured him that he will not be detained./PN
