DOJ chief favors localized peace talks with Reds

From the Manila Standard (Jul 28, 2023): DOJ chief favors localized peace talks with Reds

LOCALIZED peace talks would be one of the best ways to deal with communist insurgency, according to Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla.

Meanwhile, newly appointed Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said the death of a ranking New People’s Army (NPA) leader in an encounter with troops in Northern Mindanao would speed up the defeat of the communist insurgency.

Remulla stressed that in holding localized peace talks, the government can also “focus on what’s happening in the area so that development can also be concentrated.”

“Many of these rebel pockets are there because of underdevelopment also and lack of government attention,” he said.

“That’s why the localized peace talks can be more focused in addressing the complaints of the people who are rebelling in the areas,” Remulla pointed out.

The Justice Secretary noted that the government has named Samar, Bicol, parts of Negros, and parts of Mindanao where localized peace talks would be held.

Remulla said the communist organization is “a fractured group already.”

“Going on national talks is not what we want to do because many of them have many localized complaints about their society, about what they are fighting for in the beginning, and many of these issues have disappeared,” he explained.

He cautioned that “any attempt to an organized peace talks would just serve as a “theater for the insurgents to start raising funds again in the European Union.”

“That’s what they do and we won’t allow them to do that,” he stressed.

Earlier, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. disclosed plans to grant amnesty to persons who violated laws in the pursuit of their political beliefs.

Brawner commended the Army’s 4th Infantry Division for the successful military operation in Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental that resulted in the death of Northern Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC) secretary Dionisio Micabalo, also known as “Muling,” last July 26.

“As the AFP has attained strategic victory against local and communist terrorist groups with most of their armed members neutralized, those who remain are in survival mode,” Brawner said in a statement.

“This presents an opportunity for us to dismantle and defeat all remaining armed components to end insurgency and prevent their resurgence,” he added.

The military has tagged Micabalo’s group as notorious, having perpetrated atrocities criminal activities in such areas as Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental and parts of Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur.

In the July 26 encounter, the troops captured one “AK rifle” along with a .22-caliber rifle and various war materiel and personal belongings.

Micabalo, 61, who hails from Dancagan, Bukidnon, was facing a string of criminal charges including rebellion, double murder with frustrated murder, multiple frustrated murder and arson, as well as violation of Republic Act 9851 or Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity.

He was considered one of the top two NPA leaders in the region, with Myrna Sularte, also known as “Iyay/Imang,” operating in most parts of Caraga Region.

Meanwhile, 4th ID commander Maj. Gen. Jose Maria Cuerpo II commended the efforts of the 58th Infantry Battalion and the 402nd Infantry Brigade.

He viewed Micabalo’s death as a significant blow to the NPA and might lead to the weakening and disintegration of criminal groups in Northern Mindanao.

He also cited the positive impact of the government’s amnesty proclamation for former rebels, encouraging hold out NPA members to abandon violence and contribute to the region’s peaceful and prosperous development.

https://www.manilastandard.net/news/314354667/doj-chief-favors-localized-peace-talks-with-reds.html