KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato (PIA) — The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) underscored the role of localized initiatives in addressing communist insurgency in the Philippines.
In the recent episode of Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas with the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), retired Maj. Gen. Edgardo De Leon, OPAPRU’s regional adviser for peace and security, emphasized the success of the Localized Peace Engagement (LPE) in encouraging thousands of rebels to rejoin society.
“Successful po ang LPE, dahil direct ang pakikipag-negotiate involve po ang ating LGUs at komunidad,” De Leon said.
(The LPE was successful because the negotiation was direct and involved our LGUs and community.)
He also reported the dismantling of all 89 guerrilla fronts of the CPP-NPA nationwide through this approach.
The LPE, one of the 12 clusters of the NTF-ELCAC, adopts a whole-of-nation approach to promote peace through localized and inclusive dialogue, allowing former rebels to decide independently without external pressures.
De Leon also highlighted the government’s transformation program aimed at reintegrating former combatants, addressing their security needs, and sustaining the gains of NTF-ELCAC efforts.
“The Transformation Program sustains the gains of the ELCAC. Hindi pwede ang stagnation (stagnation is not allowed); we must prevent recovery efforts. Thus, we really need to complete the process of transformation,” De Leon stated.
The official further explained that the program focuses on four key components: security, confidence-building measures, healing and reconciliation, and socio-economic interventions.
As part of the LPE framework, the Transformation Program aims to ensure the holistic transformation of former rebels and promote the development of communist terrorist groups (CTG)-cleared communities. (SZT, PIA Region 12)
