The spokesperson of the Philippine Army’s 10th Infantry Division said on Wednesday that army troops are ready to take on the rebel New People’s Army with the cessation of peace talks.
Army Capt. Jerry Lamosao said the army troops have been on more than ready, with or without the declaration of President Duterte to cut off all talks with the NPA and its front organization.
“We are hunting down those criminals especially the rebel New People’s Army who are conducting atrocities in the hinterlands,” Lamosao told the AFP-PNP press briefing.
This is in line with the declaration made by the President that there will be no more peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines, the New People’s Army and National Democratic Front of the Philippines.
He said he knows that the statement (of the President) has reached the rebels and he hopes that they will stop what they are doing.
“They don’t have to challenge the government, especially the President. The declaration has been made, your (the President’s) army ready, he said.
He also assured that they army will deploy soldiers conducting humanitarian assistance and they are also strengthening their security operations, including anti-terrorism activities.
“There were trainings on counter terrorism and there are also forums in schools on how to prevent violent extremism,” he said.
He said that the public should feel free to report any presence of suspicious activities or plans that would eventually lead to the commission of crimes.
“Doon sa mga areas na may mga NPA ang mga tao na rin mismo ang nag re-report kaya po yun response po namin ay napaka bilis and makikita po natin ang trust rating ng mga tao ay mataas,” said Lamosao.
He said the community support program of the military is also proving effective.
“Our troops are being deployed not just for military operations but for community support program,” said Lamosao .
He said that their approach right now based on the announcement of the President is that they will support the community.
“Doon tayo sa masa, meron pa tayong ginagawa pa na mga activities wherein we really involve everybody, lalo na yung mga pinaka direktang naapektohan sa mga ginagawa ng mga NPAs,”he said
He said that the soldiers conducted a peace and development outreach program last year. “Nangunguna po ang ating mga kasundaluhan in identifying those issues that being exploited by the NPA and now with the CSP the government projects and programs are facilitated well and supported by the army,” said Lamosao.
He said the 10th ID is still open to accept rebel surrenderees because they have existing programs for them called Comprehensive Local Integration Program.
