BACOLOD City – A top Army official in the region of Western and Central Visayas has called New People’s Army (NPA) spokesperson Juanito Magbanua as “ignorant” for denouncing the government’s peace efforts in this province.
According to Major General Eric Vinoya, commander of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, such act by Magbanua holds back the Negrenses’ desire for a peaceful and progressive community.
“(He) needs enlightenment about the Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (TF-ELCAC) and the localized peace talks since his press statement clearly reveals his ignorance about the real purpose of these peace efforts,” Vinoya said on Monday.
Speaking on the behalf of the NPA’s Apolinario Gatmaitan Command in this province, Magbanua claimed that “the people’s money is used to militarize the services of the local government” and that “this so-called peace effort is futile and a waste of money.”
The Major General said that the communist-terrorist
group leader is apparently “unaware that his comrades, family members,
relatives, and even him can benefit from these drives aimed to address the root
causes of insurgency.”
Vinoya added that through the TF-ELCAC, different government agencies came
together to address the issues and concerns of the conflict-affected and
vulnerable communities.
“They bring government services and programs closer to these areas to transform
them into conflict-resilient communities conducive for sustainable peace and
development,” he said.
He even rebutted that the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army is making the people’s lives miserable by continuing to exploit and abuse their condition in order to advance to a selfish and ruthless armed struggle.
“That is the painful truth about your terrorist organization the Negrenses should know…You are not fighting for the welfare of the people. Your press statement is a confirmation of your true nature as anti-people, anti-peace, and anti-development terrorist organization,” he further said.
Nevertheless, Vinoya went on to urge the NPA’s spokesperson and his comrades to return to the fold of the law, as he reiterated the troops’ commitment together with the local government units and concerned government agencies in this province to fight for the welfare of the Negrenses.
“In due time, the Philippine Army will wipe you out in the region, hence, you better surrender while you still have time, or be killed in the least sensible way,” he added.(With a report from PNA/PN)
