Philippines Army not giving up localized peace talks

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — 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.

Colonel Alberto Desoyo, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, disclosed that they will still push through with the localized peace talks in Negros, following the cancellation of peace talks with the national government, 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.

Kahit saan level tayo mag-uusap, if you don't want peace, definitely, walang peace talks, said Desoyo on Tuesday, as he officiated the oathtaking of newly elected officers of Peace-Negros, a group of former rebels in Negros Island, at Camp Alfredo Montelibano Sr. in Bacolod City.

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

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

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 the Philippine Army's 3rd Infantry Division.

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

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

Peña, in an interview with local reporters, said: "In every area, there are different situations and different social problems. Local peace talk is more appropriate because there is involvement of local chief executives."

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 the importance of their proposed peace talks.

"It would be good that they should understand first the importance of our proposal before we come up with the unified decision if we will really push for this localized peace talks," he added.