KABANKALAN CITY, Negros Occidental — Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito G. Galvez Jr. strongly condemned the attack carried out on Wednesday by around 30 members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) in a settlement area here.
Galvez described the attack that killed two members and injured three others of the Revolutionary Proletarian Army – Alex Boncayao Brigade – Tabara Padua Group (RPA-ABB-TPG) which entered into a peace agreement with the government as “a brazen assault against concrete peace gains and efforts on the ground.”
“This attack only shows the gruesome and inhumane methods the CPP-NPA would utilize in order to promote their twisted brand of ideology,” said Galvez on Thursday.
The incident happened in a settlement site being prepared for mainstreaming and socio-economic reintegration of members of the RPA-ABB-TPG as part of the peace deal forged between the group and the government.
Galvez said such attacks have no room in a civilized and democratic society, which is governed by the rule of law.
“By carrying out this assault and killing their former comrades who only wanted to lead peaceful, productive lives, they (communists) have once again shown their true colors,” he said.
“Through their actions, they have demonstrated that human lives are worthless as they aggressively pursue their self-serving objectives,” he added.
Galvez said the perpetrators of the attack shall be brought to justice and face the full force of the law.
“I assure you that the government will exhaust all means necessary for the victims and their families to get the justice they rightfully deserve,” he said.
This is the reason, Galvez said, why the national government is gearing up for the implementation of Executive Order No. 70 which outlines a Whole-Of-Nation-Approach in dealing the decades-long communist insurgency in the country.
“Under this approach, localized peace engagements will be carried out in conflict-affected areas throughout the country,” he said.
Galvez explained these engagements are an innovative approach to peace-building, wherein they will be led by local government units and other local leaders in in the community.
“Local leaders know the real situation on the ground. Therefore, they are in the best position to respond and make decisions based on the existing realities in their respective communities,” he said.
Galvez said President Rodrigo Duterte has committed to put an end to the communist problem and will be utilizing the gamut of government institutions and resources to achieve this goal.
“The President has made a pledge to the Filipino people. He will do everything in his power to honor his word and finally bring genuine and enduring peace to our country,” he said.
The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, New Zealand, and the Philippines.
