Go appeals to communist rebels to return to the fold of the law

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has emphasized the need for a stronger whole-of-nation approach in addressing the 50-year-old local insurgency.

Go, a political ally of President Duterte, issued the statement following a call of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) to the members of its armed wing the New People’s Army (NPA) to intensify their recruitment, as NPA marks its 53rd founding anniversary last March 29.

In an interview after personally leading a relief activity in the Island Garden City of Samal in Davao del Norte on Wednesday, March 30, Go expressed his dismay over CPP’s message and renewed his appeal to the rebels to yield to the government and return to the folds of the law.

“Mayroon lang akong pakiusap, imbes na mag-recruit kayo gawin niyo na lang ay magbalik-loob na lang kayo sa gobyerno (I have an appeal... instead of recruiting, go back to the folds of the law). Mayroon namang programa si Presidente Duterte ang ELCAC (End Local Communist Armed Conflict), tulong ng mga barangay para ma-encourage ang mga barangay na dumami pa ang mga barangay na ma-insentibo (President Duterte has the ELCAC program, giving incentives to barangays). So ako diyan as a Senator, tutulong ako para sa ikaayos ng lahat, peace ang sagot ko (As s senator i will help, peace is my answer),” Go stressed.

In 2018, Executive Order (EO) 70 was signed by President Duterte creating the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC). It institutionalizes the whole-of-nation approach in attaining inclusive and sustainable peace by creating the task force and adopting a National Peace Framework.

The whole-of-nation approach under the said EO addresses the root causes of insurgencies, internal disturbances and tensions, and other armed conflicts and threats in the country by focusing on the efficient delivery of basic services and social development packages by the government.

Concerned agencies involved in the task force are providing the necessary assistance through various programs dedicated to help NTF-ELCAC achieve its goals.

One of which is the Sustainable Livelihood Program by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) which provides livelihood assistance grants to former rebels and helps them become productive members of their communities.

Last December, Go also pushed to increase the budget of NTF-ELCAC to ensure that the task force shall have the necessary funds to assist more conflict-affected areas nationwide.

Expressing his frustration over unnecessary killings among Filipinos, Go reiterated his appeal to CPP-NPA members to peacefully surrender and rebuild their lives instead of recruiting more members, especially the youth, to join the armed struggle.