Peace with Reds, bombs for Sayyaf
If we are to negotiate, therefore, we so do from the position of strength
While government is again pursuing peace — from a position of strength — with the Maoist Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is intensifying operations against the terror Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), which remains active in Mindanao.
Its focus now on the martial law-controlled island, the AFP said it will respect President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to go at peace with the CPP, its armed component the New People’s Army and its political wing the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, after he terminated the talks in March this year.
Mr. Duterte said his decision earlier this year to end the peace discussions with the Maoist rebels was final.
But on 5 December, the Chief Executive revealed an order to Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III to meet with exiled communist leader Jose Ma. Sison in The Netherlands where the long-time CPP leader is exiled.
Marine Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo, the AFP spokesman, declared full support by the military to the President’s wish of pursuing peace with the Reds.
“The AFP respects and supports the wisdom of the Commander-in-Chief in issuing
such pronouncements,” Arevalo said.
“We understand that those instructions to Secretary Bello are in the nature of exploratory discussion with Mr. Sison and are meant toward the attainment of sustainable peace, which is the President’s and also the AFP’s ultimate desire,” he added.
But while there is nothing on paper yet, Arevalo disclosed that the AFP will continue with military operations supporting the National Task Force in Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict.
The program, he said, is helping neutralize NPA operations in the countryside, especially with the support of the local government units and their leaders.
“If we are to negotiate, therefore, we so do from the position of strength,” Arevalo said.
He also reiterated the AFP leadership, from past to present, is wholly supportive of the peace process.
“Time and again, the AFP leadership from the incumbent Chief-of-Staff Gen. Noel Clement and his predecessors, we unequivocally commit to all-out peace that shall embody the aspirations of our people who have long been yearning for it,” he added.
Malacañang, however, strongly condemned the CPP-CPA for its use of child-soldiers to fight for the insurgency.
Presidential Communication Secretary Martin Andanar said
“using child-soldiers takes away their rights and freedom towards self-determination” as he branded the practice as “immoral.”
Andanar was referring to the death of a 16-year old insurgent who was made to fight the Army’s 23rd Infantry Battalion recently.
But while Mr. Duterte is expressive of his wish to pursue peace, Sison is apprehensive about government’s invitation to talk at home.
He wants the peace process to continue in The Netherlands where he is based since his exile following his release by the late President Cory Aquino.
Sison’s followers fear the CPP founding leader would be arrested once he lands in the country.
Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo, however, allayed the fears raised by the local communist leaders on Sison.
The AFP, however, vowed no let-up in its pursuit of the ASG as it intensified a crackdown against the bandits.
This, after the Western Mindanao Command over the weekend figured in an encounter with some 40 ASG members under sub-leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan in Sitio Tambang, Barangay Kabbon Takas, Patikul, Sulu.
In a report, troops from the 32nd Infantry Battalion and the 12th Reconnaissance Company clashed with the rebels in a 30-minute firefight.
Four ASG members were killed and several others were wounded.
One soldier, however, died while nine others also sustained injuries.
The wounded soldiers were immediately brought to Camp Teodulfo Bautista Station Hospital for medical attention.
“The ASG has no safe place in Sulu as the peace-loving Tausugs are now very active in reporting their presence wherever they go,” Joint Task Force Sulu commander Maj. Gen. Corleto Vinluan said.
“The untimely death of one of our soldiers will never weaken our spirits in our fight against terrorism. His ultimate sacrifice will serve as our inspiration and motivation in hunting down the remaining ASG in Sulu. The ASG maneuver space is dwindling. They now have to surrender or be killed by our operating forces,” he added.
The ASG has no safe place in Sulu as the peace-loving Tausugs are now very active in reporting their presence wherever they go.
The AFP respects and supports the wisdom of the Commander-in-Chief in issuing such pronouncements.