FORMER rebel combatants have denounced the armed struggle, condemned violence and called for lasting peace.
A manifesto titled “A Call for Unity, Progress, and Collective Healing” was unveiled at a press briefing held in Quezon City to culminate the Nationwide Peace Advocate Summit 2024.
“We, former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), are united and peacefully condemn the violence inflicted by the CPP-NPA-NDF and other forms of violence experienced by the Filipino people,” the manifesto read.
Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr., executive director of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-Elcac). Photo By: Ismael De Juan
“Our decision to condemn armed struggle does not mean abandoning our principles. We do not turn our backs on the fight for social justice — instead, we embrace a new approach to struggle, one that aligns with the rule of law and collaboration among all sectors of society,” it added.
Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr., executive director of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-Elcac), described the release of the declaration as a significant shift in the thinking of former rebels, who are now actively seeking a peaceful resolution to conflict through collaboration and dialogue.
“It is a powerful declaration from those who have walked the path of conflict, now committed to forging a new way forward for themselves and for future generations,” Torres said.
The declaration also serves as a guiding document for the NTF-Elcac as it works to implement programs and initiatives that support the reintegration of former rebels and promote lasting peace in our communities.
“We are committed to translating the recommendations and insights gathered during this summit into actionable policies and programs,” said Torres.
“We will work closely with local government units, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to ensure that the voices of former rebels are not only heard but also integrated into our national discourse on unity, peace, and development,” he added.
National Security Adviser Eduardo Año emphasized the government’s unwavering commitment to achieving lasting peace and reconciliation and highlighted the crucial role of the NTF-Elcac in facilitating dialogue and reintegration.
“To be sure, this is an event that I thought at first was difficult or impossible to pull off, but we were able to do it because of our hard work and joint efforts,” he said.
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