Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla shares the key accomplishments of the military arm in terms of peace promotion during a Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas (KBP). (Photo by: PIA-NCR)
QUEZON CITY, (PIA) — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has adopted a compassionate and inclusive approach in dealing with individuals who have surrendered from terrorist groups.
During the latest edition of the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas media forum in Quezon City, AFP Spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla said that rather than referring to them as “former rebels,” the AFP regards these individuals as “friends returned” – a designation that reflects the military’s commitment to rehabilitation, reintegration, and reconciliation.
This change in terminology, Padilla said represents a fundamental shift in the AFP’s philosophy towards those who have been misguided or coerced into joining terrorist organizations. By viewing them as “friends returned,” the military acknowledges their humanity and the possibility of redemption, rather than casting them as irreconcilable adversaries.
During the forum, the AFP reported an increase in the number of surrenderers from communist and local terrorist groups in the country as compared to those apprehended.
Of the total 1,367 communist terrorist group (CTG) members that were neutralized from January to August 2024, 1,169 voluntarily surrendered.
Meanwhile, 124 of the 176 neutralized members of local terrorist groups also surrendered out of their own accord.
Padilla said that these figures reflect a significant development in the country’s peace-building efforts towards the establishment of an insurgency-free nation.
“We are enjoining these surrenderees to join us in this effort for us to go forth and move on to bigger challenges such as the West Philippine Sea issue,” said Padilla.
“We are not only pursuing military actions but also extending peace, community development, and reintegration programs,” she added, noting that some surrenderees are joining the AFP and Philippine National Police (PNP) as part of their community reintegration.
In this regard, the AFP emphasized that surrenderees should no longer be tagged as “former rebels” but rather “friends returned” because of their potential to be reintegrated as productive members of society.
For its part, the Joint Task Force – National Capital Region (JTF-NCR) intensified the implementation of various peace and security campaigns aimed at countering the propaganda of CTGs.
It also leads the conduct of dialogues among vulnerable groups in grassroots communities to ensure that they are equipped with the necessary knowledge and awareness to veer away from the organizing activities of CTGs.
On the other hand, the AFP continues to strengthen its naval and aerial capabilities with a focus on the enhancement of cybersecurity and other communications assets to fortify the country’s territorial defense operations.
“Our approach remains fair and pacific, focusing on de-escalation and resolution of disputes. We aim to strengthen regional cooperation and uphold our principles while engaging with our neighbors to resolve contested issues without compromising our position,” said Padilla, iterating the country’s resolute fight for territorial integrity in the West Philippine Sea.
The most recent maritime cooperative activity (MCA) of AFP was conducted with the armed forces of Australia, Canada, and the United States in the Western Command (WESCOM) area of responsibility within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
The said multilateral MCA includes communication exercises, division tactics, photographic exercises, cross-deck landings, anti-submarine warfare exercises, and maritime domain awareness drills, among others. (JMP/PIA-NCR)
