Military in Visayas welcomes Duterte's peace talks revival

From the Visayan Daily Star (Jun 20): Military in Visayas welcomes Duterte's peace talks revival

The revival of stalled peace talks between the government under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte and communist rebels is a welcome development for the Army's 3rd Infantry Division operating in three Visayas regions.

Brig. Gen. Harold Cabreros, commanding general of the 3rd Infantry Division, however, said “That is a political issue and we will leave it to our political leaders to make a comment on this”.

Cabreros, who opened the Commander's Cup 2016 “Brown Eagle-Negros Island Leg” invitational shooting competition Saturday in Brgy. Minoyan, Murcia, said, “On our part, we just continue our Bayanihan , activities, based in our campaign plan. We will continue bringing services to our people, to support our local government units and national government agencies, strengthen our ties with the non-government organizations for our country to develop.”

Incoming Presidential Adviser on Peace Process Jesus Dureza led the government delegation in conducting informal talks with CPP leaders, including NDF consultant Negrense Luis Jalandoni, which tackled three agreements- on the release of political prisoners, an interim ceasefire and a plan to accelerate peace negotiations.

To show that he is serious in ending the more than 47 years of insurgency problem, Duterte even appointed leaders of leftist organizations in his cabinet.

When asked about the proposal to release all political prisoners, including detained CPP top leaders Benito and Wilma Tiamzon, Cabreros said “That is a political decision, so we cannot meddle in it. We will leave it to our political leaders.”

“We just follow our constitutional mandate. If that would be the decision of the administration, then that is a political decision that we have to respect”, he added.

“We are apolitical in our organization in the Armed Forces of the Philippines. So we cannot make a comment on whatever their decision”, he also said.

But he added that the campaign against the armed group- New People's Army will continue. As for those who are terrorizing our people, we will continue to run after them” Cabreros said.

As long as there is no go-signal for us to abide to a ceasefire, we will continue, he said.

As 3ID commander, Cabreros supervises internal security operations of the 301st Infantry Brigade in Panay, 302nd Infantry Brigade in Bohol and Cebu, and the 303rd Infantry Brigade stationed in Negros island.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2016/June/20/topstory5.htm