CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) — A military solution is not enough because the components to address insurgency is multifaceted, a process that requires the attention of different agencies, said LtCol. Francisco P. Garello Jr., chief, Division of Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, in an episode of Talakayan sa PIA Up Close and Personal at SM CDO Downtown.
“So kailangan i-address (we need to address) not only the armed component of the Communist Party of the Philippines—New People’s Army—National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF). That’s only 20 percent na kailangan i-address natin (we need to address),” he said, adding that the whole 80 percent must come from the whole-of-nation approach of the whole government.
However, the declaration of several provinces as insurgency-free indicates a decline in the Communist Terrorists Group (CTG) and a drastic decline in “our insurgency problems,” he said.
Despite the significant and positive developments in the government’s peace campaign, the 4ID acknowledges the continued threat.
The most difficult part, according to Garello, is to make sure that there will be no resurgence of insurgency to that of a former conflict-affected area.
Their campaign to promote peaceful resolution has been a long-term solution to the insurgency problem in the country. Peace consciousness, he said, is an understanding that peace and stability come from a place of reconciliation, harmony, and mutual respect from each individual.
The 4ID does not aim to relax. Despite having areas declared insurgency free, the army still continues to monitor and give attention to these areas.
What is the CTG?
The CPP-NPP-NDF or the CTG seeks to seize political power and establish a form of a communist state. It seeks to grab power or overthrow the democratic political government.
The CTG is a terrorist group because they use violence to overthrow the democratic form of government and seize political power using violence. The CTG also employs the Marxist-Leninist Maoist ideology, utilizing armed struggle to effect social change.
Their ideology is a lost cause, says Garello, “hindi siya akma sa panahon ngayon na kung saan ay gagamit ka ng dahas of violence to promote yung agenda o yung self-interest yung interest ng mga nakaupo lamang na mga leaders.”
(It does not fit in today’s era where you will use violence to promote the agenda or the self-interest of the sitting leaders).”
“So, hindi na siya about sa prinsipyo talaga, it’s all about, I must say, it’s about money; it’s survival lalo na ‘yung mga leaders nila using the ordinary NPAs as their pawns for their selfish and own agenda,” he said.
(So, it’s not about principle anymore; it’s all about, I must say, money; it’s about money, it’s survival especially their leaders using the ordinary NPAs as their pawns for their selfish and own agenda)
The government is sincere
There is no reason at all now to set a revolution because the government is sincere and committed to addressing the issues through the whole of nation approach; that is why every agency is helping each other, Garello said.
“Sinsero tayo, sinsero ang government natin lalo ng Philippine Army lalo na ang 4ID sinsero tayo na tulungan ‘yung mga mamayan natin to address nga ‘yung kanilang mga needs through facilitating ‘yung mga iba’t ibang mga government agencies,” he said.
(We are sincere, the government is sincere, especially the Philippine Army, especially the 4ID; we are sincere in helping our people to address their needs through facilitating the various government agencies.)
The 4ID implements a communist support program teams to identify gaps and challenges issues on the ground where conflict or insurgency problems are present.
Using these teams, the army will identify community issues and connect them to government agencies to solve the problem.
Garello shared that most of the time, it is not anymore the cause but more so these recruits are deceived. It’s not the ideology anymore, but they are given false promises, such as providing them monthly cash money if they join the group.
In the end, there is no cash money, only traps because they could not get out easily. They find themselves stuck in a hopeless situation.
The government continues to welcome rebel returnees; despite the challenges of leaving, some are willing to risk their lives to integrate into society.“Di ka basta-basta talaga makalabas diyan if makalabas ka naman gagamitin ka parin. That’s why ‘yung mga surrender nagdala ng mga armas talagang hina-hunting ito ng mga dating kasamahan nila. We ensure na maprotektahan natin itong mga taong ito, and sa iba naman, ‘yung nag-surrender, they allow them na mag-surrender. Pero gagamitin parin nila as eyes and ears doon sa communities para to monitor kung ano ang ginagawa ng government, ano ‘yung ginagawa ng army,” he said.
(You can’t just get out of there; even if you get out, you will still be used. That’s why the surrenderers who brought weapons are actually being hunted by their former comrades. We ensure that we can protect these people and the others who surrender; they allow them to surrender. But they will still use them as eyes and ears in the communities to monitor what the government is doing and what the army is doing.)
With the creation of Task Force End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC), there were synchronized efforts to address the insurgency problem, not only addressing the armed component of CPP-NPA-NDF but also the reasons or issues and concerns, the problems.
The 4ID assured that the army adheres to and respects human rights.
“It is the center of our operational framework to respect human rights and adhere to all the provisions under the International Humanitarian Law,” Garello said. (JMOR/PIA-10)
