The Philippine Army declared yesterday that it is “winning the peace” in Negros Occidental.
Col. Jon Aying, 303 rd Infantry Brigade commander, said they have used non-traditional military approaches, including social, economic, political and even justice reforms, in addressing the insurgency problem in the province.
“With our multi-dimensional and multi-sectoral efforts implemented from 2011 up this time, we were be able to regain the trust and confidence of the people in conflict-affected communities, reducing their vulnerability to terror and deception tactics of the lawless New People's Army,” Aying said.
The 303 rd Infantry Brigade, in tandem with multi-sectoral groups, including peace advocates, non-government and people's organizations, Church, government agencies and the private sector, launched and implemented its “winning the peace” campaign in the hinterland communities of the 1 st and 5 th districts of Negros Occidental, populace.
Aying, who presided over the Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Center meeting at Camp Alfredo Montelibano Sr. in Bacolod City, said about 150 former rebels have abandoned the armed struggle since 2011.
The former rebels and their families also availed of financial and livelihood assistance from the provincial government of Negros Occidental, military records show.
A total of 19 former rebels are also working at the Negros First and Wellness Program in Brgy. Minoyan, Murcia, and are engaged in organic farming and livestock raising, through the help of the provincial government of Negros Occidental, Aying said.
In the 5 th district of Negros Occidental, eight self-confessed NPA militiamen also surrendered to the 11 th Infantry Battalion, and endorsed 18 firearms, including a KG 9 sub machine gun, M1 garand and carbine rifles,, shotguns, 357 and caliber .38 revolvers, military records also show.
Aying said they were also able to liberate the conflict affected communities in the ESTOCA (Escalante-Toboso-Calatrava) areas from the influence of the NPA, through Bayanihan Team effort.
In order to preserve their gains, Aying said, “We are sustaining our capacity-building internally, through the Pro-PiDU, with the continuing involvement of various sectors of NGOs, while the military and police supporting the efforts”.
With the mechanism in place, the grassroots program from the city or municipality, down to the barangay level, will continue, even there is a change of leadership, he added.
He also said it is up to the local leaders, in tandem with national government agencies, down to barangays and sitios, to strengthen the institutionalization of capability building.
He expressed optimism that the holistic approaches under the Bayanihan program will eventually render insurgency irrelevant in Negros Occidental.
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