MANILA, Philippines – SINABI ng National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) na bumaba na sa 780 ang bilang ng mga rebeldeng New People’s Army (NPA) sa buong bansa.
“A recent report that we have received [indicates that] there are only 780 NPAs all over the country,” ayon kay NTF-ELCAC Executive Director Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr. sa media briefing bilang tanda ng 7th founding anniversary ng task force.
“That’s relatively small because at their peak [in the 1980s], they numbered to about 25,000,” aniya pa rin.
Hindi naman tinukoy ni Torres ang source ng report o nagbigay ng karagdagang detalye kaugnay sa nilalaman nito.
Subalit, ayon kay Torres, ang mga natitirang NPA rebels ay nasukol sa mga bundok, may ilang kuryusidad ukol sa iba’t ibang programa ng gobyerno na iniaalok sa mga dating rebelde.
“That’s why we need the support of the media, for us to tell the public in general so that it (programs) would reach ‘yung mga kapatid natin na nasa bundok pa,” ayon kay Torres.
Kabilang sa mga inisyatiba ng gobyerno ang Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), na tumutulong sa mga dating rebelde sa kanilang muling pagsasama sa mainstream society, at amnesty program.
“The Barangay Development Program (BDP), which is our flagship initiative, stands as the clearest proof that development is the most enduring path to peace,” ang sinabi ni Torres, tinukoy ang inisyatiba ng task force upang magdala ng development sa conflict-affected communities.
“Over the past seven years, we have seen how communities once isolated by conflict are now emerging as centers of hope, partnership and opportunity,” ayon kay Torres.
Ani Torres, mayroong mahigit sa 4,800 dating conflict-affected barangay na nakinabang mula sa BDP sa uri ng lansangan, silid-aralan, water systems, electrification, health stations, at livelihood support.
“The gains we celebrate are real, but they must be protected. We cannot afford complacency,” ang sinabi ng opisyal ng NTF-ELCAC, sabay sabing, “Sustaining peace requires unity of purpose, good governance and continued support from all sectors, especially from the communities who stand to benefit the most.” (Kris Jose)
