The Philippine Army (PA) on Monday, April 4, expressed support to Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.'s refusal to resume peace negotiations with the New People's Army (NPA).
"The PA fully supports Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.’s rejection of the proposed resumption of peace talks with the NPA. The Army underscores that the NPA has been designated as a terrorist organization, given its continued use of violence and attacks against civilians and government forces," Army spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala said.
A coalition of more than 30 civil society organizations in Negros Occidental in a joint statement Saturday called on the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front to end hostilities and resume peace negotiations.
Peace talks with the NPA cannot restart without the group's "genuine renunciation" of its armed struggle, Dema-ala said.
Dema-ala maintained that the PA remains committed to protecting the Filipino people and dismantling terrorist networks, and supporting a whole-of-nation approach to ending insurgency.
Teodoro on Saturday outrightly rejected the resumption of peace talks with the NPA despite calls by some former negotiators demanding for such.
Former peace negotiators were calling for the restart of the peace talks in wake of the April 19 encounter between the 79th Infantry “Masaligan” Battalion soldiers and insurgents in Toboso, Negros Occidental, that left 19 people dead.-PNA
*** Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, visited the 79th Infantry “Masaligan” Battalion at its headquarters in Barangay Bato, Sagay City, on Saturday, May 2.
He commended the 79th IB soldiers for their courage, emphasizing the importance of sustaining momentum in securing communities.
“This visit is both an opportunity to commend your steadfast service and to reaffirm our shared commitment to securing lasting peace in your area of responsibility,” he said, adding that the campaign is “not just a military effort, but a collective stand of communities choosing progress over fear.”
He urged the troops to remain mission-focused and uphold their duty to the Filipino people, stressing that recent gains must be sustained through continued commitment to service and strong community partnership to ensure enduring peace and development.
The soldiers were given combat awards – gold cross the silver cross medals.
Brawner said they have proof that what happened in Toboso was a legitimate encounter and are ready for any inquiry.
Those killed in Toboso were armed and fighting against government forces, he said.
The series killings against innocent civilians and extortion by the NPA will not be tolerated, he said.
“We have intensified out operations against the NPA, they cannot continue killing innocent civilians,” Brawner said.*
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