Army not giving up on peace talks

From the Visayan Daily Star (Jul 4): Army not giving up on peace talks

The Philippine Army in Negros Island is not giving up the localized peace talks, despite repeated rejections by the New People’s Army in previous statements it issued in the past years.

Col. Allberto Desoyo, 303rd Infanrtry Brigade commander,said yesterday that they will still push through with the localized peace talks in Negros, despite the cancellation of peace talks, as announced by self-exiled communist leader Jose Maria Sison.

NDF- Negros spokesperson Frank Fernandez has repeatedly opposed the holding of localized peace talks, in his previous statements he issued, and furnished to the local media.

At what level shall we talk? If you don’t want peace, definitely, nopeace talks, Desoyo, said to be led the oathtaking of newly-elected officers of Peace-Negros, a group of forrmer rebels in Negros Island, at Camp Alfredo Montelibano Sr. in Bacolod City, yesterday.

The 301st Infantry Brigade in Iloilo also expressed its support to the localized peace talks. Both 301st and 303rd Infantry Brigades are under the supervision of Army’s 3rd Infantry Division.

Desoyo, who supervises four Army battalions, composed of about 2,000 Army troops,in Negros Island, said yesterday that if there is no insurgency problem, the money intended for addressing threats from insurgents could be channeled to health, education and other government services needed by the Filipino people.

On the other hand, Colonel Leo Peña, 301st Infantry Brigade acting commander , said that they are now on the advocacy aspect, “convincing the local chief executives to spearhead the localized peace talks with the help of the military.”

“In every area, there are different situations and different social problems. Local peace talksare more appropriate because there is involvement of local chief executives,” Peña said in an interview Tuesday.

Peña said they are planning to bring the proposal to the Regional Peace and Order Council, and to convince the regional directors and provincial governors to come up with an inter-agency joint task force in Western Visayas so they could talk about of their proposed peace talks.

“It will be good that they understand first the importance of our proposal before we come up with the unified decision on pushing for localized peace talks,” he added.

Meanwhile, former rebels in Negros Island formed the Peace-Negros, with the help of the Philippine Army, Departments of Interior and Local Government and Social Welfare and Development, and the Provincial Peace Integration Development Unit of the Provincial Peace and Order Council.

Some of the former rebels also shared their success stories during the dialog, and one of them is now a member of the Philippine Army, three others members of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit, and one a computer programmer.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2018/July/04/topstory4.htm