Army leaders in Negros, Iloilo support localized peace talks
LEADERS OF the Philippine Army deployed in Negros Island and Iloilo have expressed support for localized peace talks with the New People’s Army (NPA) following the cancellation of negotiations between the national government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines-Communist Party of the Philippines (NDFP-CPP). Colonel Alberto C. Desoyo, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, said on Wednesday that they will still push through with the localized peace talks in Negros as he officiated the oath-taking in Bacolod City of newly-elected officers of PeaceNegros, a group of former NPAs, the armed group of the CPP. Mr. Desoyo, who supervises four army battalions consisting of about 2,000 soldiers in Negros Island, said that if there is no insurgency problem, the money intended for
use in addressing threats could be channeled to health, education and other government services. In Iloilo, Colonel Leo Peña, acting commander of the 301st Infantry Brigade, said they are pursuing the advocacy aspect wherein they are “convincing the local chief executives to spearhead the localized peace talks with the help of the military.” Mr. Peña, in an interview with local reporters, said, “In every area, there are different situations and different social problems. Local peace talk is more appropriate because there is involvement of local chief executives.” Mr. Peña said they are planning to bring the proposal to the Regional Peace and Order Council, and urge the regional directors and provincial governors to come up with an inter-agency joint task force in Western Visayas to tackle the localized talks. “It would be good that they should understand first the importance of our proposal before we come up with the unified decision if we will really push for this localized peace talks,” he said.