The state of affairs surrounding the New people's Army (NPA) as an effective nemesis of the government is probably drawingto a close, and the Philippine Army strongly doubts the Maoist rebels' ability to strike at government forces as evidenced by the dwindling number of its foot soldiers and symphatizers.
Major Rey Tiongson, spokesman of the 3 Infantry (Spearhead) Division (3ID), Philippine Army based in Camp Marario Peralta, Jamindan, Capiz province has underscored the steely resolve of the Aquino Administration to stamp out the decades-long insurgency in the country not only by military means, but through persistent entreaties for them to lay down their arms and rejoin the mainstream and lead normal lives.
The soft-spoken Tiongson, a product of the Philippine Military Academy Class '97, asserted that the government is not letting up in waging an emotional and psychological warfare as it tries hard to reach out to the NPA cadre through the "guns for peace” program, a brainchild of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
The scheme has come to fruition as more rebels, sensing the sincerity of the government, have come out of their mountain lairs to give up their guns in exchange for a sum and use it to start a new life.
And not to be outdone, the Department of Social Welfare and Development has lent a helping hand to AFP rapid gains by offering former rebels more assistance in various forms, noteworthy of which is their gradual integration into a society governed by laws and seasoned by civilities.
“Peace is within reach,” Tiongson beamed.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=10&sid=&nid=10&rid=628532
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