PEACE BY PEACE
As the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) celebrated its 31st anniversary last Sept. 20, it has also become an opportunity for the agency to reflect on its remarkable three-decade journey.
The theme for this year’s anniversary, “Peace Month @20: Transforming minds, transforming lives,” best captures the essence of OPAPRU’s mission. It is more than just a slogan, as represents a daring vision that extends beyond implementing the comprehensive Philippine peace process.
The theme has been our agency’s mantra, as we know that our work affects the very fabric of the communities we operate in. For as we help transform the peace and socioeconomic conditions in these areas, we are essentially transforming the lives of the people.
Over the years, the OPAPRU has focused its cross-cutting initiatives in turning former combatants and rebels into agents of peace and development advocates, staying by their side and guiding them from a path of conflict to one of hope and empowerment.
This peace journey has been a challenging but fulfilling one. In every corner of the country, from the Cordilleras up in the North to the Bangsamoro Region down south, OPAPRU has been at the forefront of pushing forward and building on the gains of peace.
In as much as our agency has focused on becoming a force for positive change in the country, the organization itself is constantly evolving. For as the OPAPRU transforms itself, it becomes better equipped to transform and uplift the lives of those it serves.
This internal transformation is deeply rooted in a steadfast commitment to realize the national government’s peace policy agenda, while responding to the needs of its beneficiaries in a better, more efficient and effective way.
It is, however, worth noting that OPAPRU’s achievements for this year would not have been possible without the invaluable support of its local and international stakeholders who have stood behind us and supported our agency even during the most difficult of times.
The accelerated implementation of the Normalization Program for former Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) combatants and the conduct of local peace engagements (LPE) for ex-rebels, among others, are a result of the strong partnerships we have forged with national line agencies, local government units, the academe, civil society and the security sector.
And of course, OPAPRU would not be where it is now without the remarkable men and women of the agency who have dedicated the best years of their lives to promoting the culture of peace, mutual understanding and harmony.
They are among the nation’s unsung heroes who spend weeks in the field, ensuring that our socioeconomic assistance packages are delivered on time to the people, while keeping a close eye on possible outbreaks of conflict and if possible, preventing them.
These are the individuals we honored for their selflessness, focus and commitment to make a difference in the lives of the people we are tasked to serve. They are virtually the backbone of our peace process and I am proud to serve side by side with them.
But as I emphasized during the agency’s anniversary celebration, there is still much to be done. With President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s vow to end all internal armed conflict during his term, there is a need for us to further pick up the pace. We cannot rest on our laurels.
We are inspired by President Marcos Jr’s message that “We can’t go back to square one.” Indeed, we cannot afford to go back to the time when the sound of gunfire and people rushing to evacuation centers were commonplace. All of that is behind us now.
Our nation, therefore, must forge ahead so that we can preserve the hard-won dividends of peace, while we carve new paths wherein we can find a peaceful and long-lasting settlement with other insurgent groups.
This is why the national government has decided to renew its peace engagement with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF), which has waged more than 50 years of armed struggle.
We believe that the CPP-NPA-NDF no longer have a reason to go against the government, which has demonstrated utmost sincerity to once again sit down with the communist group and talk peace—without any demands of pre-conditions.
With President Marcos Jr’s pledge to honor all commitments under existing peace agreements, and with the dedicated peace workers at OPAPRU leading the charge, there is hope that the dream of lasting peace is not just within reach but is now at hand.
The transformation of minds and lives does not happen overnight. It is the product of sustained effort, built on the trust, commitment, and shared vision of all those involved in the peace process.
Moving forward, let us remember that attaining a just and lasting peace is not just a goal but an unwavering commitment and collective effort of all Filipinos to ensure that we never go back to square one.
(Secretary Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. is the presidential adviser on peace, reconciliation, and unity.)