AFP backs peace body
THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) expressed their support on Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio’s move on crafting a peace committee that will initiate dialogues with the New People’s Army (NPA) and the government.
Speaking yesterday during the AFP-PNP press forum at The Royal Mandaya Hotel, 3rd Infantry Battalion (IB) commander Lieutenant Colonel Raymund Lachica said they will abide with the direc tive of the mayor because they want to achieve peace.
The AFP is yet to talk with the mayor to determine their role in the peace process with the NPA guerillas present in the city’s hinterlands.
But they guarantee that they would help encourage the lefts to go back to the folds of the law and facilitate the surrenderees.
To date, there are several NPA units or threat groups present in the city including the Guerilla Front (GF) 54 operating in Toril and Sta. Cruz; GF 56 in boundary of Bukidnon and parts of Paquibato; and there are two Pulang Bagani Company (PBC) 1 and PBC 2. He further said that based on the information they gathered, there is also an additional PBC 3.
He noted that NPA established this new unit to make it appear that they are expanding, but those members of the PBC were also members of other units. He cited that there were armed caches recovered in Arakan, North Cotabato in which he emphasized that if there are more rebels, it must have been used and not hidden.
“But we would not like to discount kung nadadagan in terms of personnel,” he said. “[There are] discoveries of armed cache specifically sa boud-
nary ng Arakan sa 39th IB, bakit sila magtatago ng baril kung marami pa sila?”
Although their commander-in-chief President Rodrigo Duterte had already terminated the peace talk with communists, he said he sees no conflict and will possibly create adjustments in the process in pursuit of the localized peace talk.
On one hand, 10th Infantry Battalion (IB) assistant division commander Major General Bienvenido Datuin said the peace innovation of the mayor is a good option and he has high hopes that it will push through.
“Whatever it takes, just be in good faith. Maganda itong ating pinasisimulan dito sa Davao City and we have high hopes that this innovation will work well for peace dito sa region and country eventually,” he said.
He also commended the mayor because now, the local government unit is also making a move to advance peace in the area and reaching out to the rebels to address their demands.
“Masaya tayo dahil nag-iisip narin ang LGU that development is being hampered because of peace and order so what we have to do here is to respect each other’s option and prerogative. We will respect the plans of the city, all other innovation we respect,” he said.
Datuin also urge the left to cooperate with the government and respect the agreements if they would enter into it unlike the previous national talk wherein they continue with their atrocities despite the imposition of ceasefire.
“This is all a long peace effort; it’s not about winning the war but winning the peace. Everything we are doing is geared towards peace, peace advocacy programs,” he said.
The localized peace talk, he believes would be more effective because the local government is talking directly to the ground units. There have been several rounds of peace talks held in other countries but it failed because its personnel on the ground are not following the directive of their higher leaders.
“I believe mas maganda siya ‘yong local government unit para ma-empower natin ang ground units. Sila ang nakakaalm sa real situation,” he said. “Let’s create another way the local peace initiatives. Subukan natin and we’ll see the sentiments of the people on the ground.”