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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Peace adviser Galvez engages 44 ex-rebels in talks; assists with their reintegration into mainstream society

Peace adviser Galvez engages 44 ex-rebels in talks; assists with their reintegration into mainstream society

OPAPRU to distribute financial assistance to ex-rebels for socio-economic intervention

Published Jun 22, 2025 10:22 am
Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. speaks before former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People's Army - National Democratic Front of the Philippines in Mawab, Davao de Oro on June 19, 2025 to help them reintegrate into mainstream society. (Photo: OPAPRU)
Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. speaks before former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People's Army - National Democratic Front of the Philippines in Mawab, Davao de Oro on June 19, 2025 to help them reintegrate into mainstream society. (Photo: OPAPRU)
Once a military general who pursued rebels in Mindanao with a gun, Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. is now on a different mission, convincing insurgents to lay down their arms and return to mainstream society using the power of words.
Galvez – who heads the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) – held a dialogue in Mawab, Davao de Oro recently with 44 former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) in partnership with the 10th Infantry Division.
In a statement Sunday, June 22, the OPAPRU said the former rebels were from Northern Mindanao (Region 10), Davao (Region 11), Soccsksargen which covers South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and General Santos City (Region 12), and Caraga (Region 13.
Galvez sought to help former rebels and combatants reintegrate into their communities as peaceful and productive civilians through what he calls “peace conversations” which, he said, were anchored on the Marcos administration’s five-point Peace Agenda.
“We know the challenges all of you had to face as a result of your decision to turn away from armed struggle and return to the folds of the law. Rest assured that we will help to rebuild your lives and create a better future for yourselves and your families,” he told the ex-rebels, who he now calls “friends rescued” or FRs.
According to Galvez, the FRs should now also be referred to as “peace advocates” because “they you now partners of the government in fostering peace, mutual respect, and reconciliation in your communities.”
“By turning away from armed struggle, you have demonstrated your commitment to help the national government realize its peace agenda. As such, you have now become agents of peace and development,” said Galvez, a former chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
According to OPAPRU, one of the FRs was Norma Capuyan, from Makilala, North Cotabato. She told OPAPRU that among the reasons she decided to leave the communist movement was her advancing age as well as her desire to be reunited with her family.
The OPAPRU said that the primary reason that convinced Capuyan to abandon her armed struggle was the sincerity shown by the national government, particularly in ensuring that FRs are actively involved in the peacebuilding process.
The government has implemented a national amnesty program for former rebels who have committed crimes punishable under the Revised Penal Code and Special Penal laws in furtherance of their political beliefs, among other offenses.
To help FRs like Capuyan, the OPAPRU said it will give P500,000 each to eight People’s Organizations (POs) through the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) of its Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) Program, which they can use to fund various livelihood projects in their communities.
The POs were formed through peace conversations with former rebels spearheaded by the OPAPRU and 10th Infantry Division.
Among the livelihood projects that the POs have proposed include “sari-sari” or grocery store for their members, buy and sell of banana and coconuts, grains retailing, poultry production and egg laying, agrivet supplies, and merchandise, among others.

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