THE military is willing to talk to local communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in order to spur the revival of the peace negotiations between the government and the Communist Party of the Philippines-National Democratic Front (CPP-NDF).
During a visit to Central Command (Centcom) in Barangay Lahug, Cebu City yesterday, Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Eduardo Año said the rebels can go to local officials or local military commanders to help restart talks on the local level.
He said six of the 25 encounters between the military and the communist NPA rebels nationwide broke out in Central Visayas after President Rodrigo Duterte lifted the unilateral ceasefire.
Año said they arrested 13 top NPA officials and killed six NPA rebels while 15 surrendered about 11 days after the ceasefire was lifted.
“Here (in Centcom) we had six encounters and we overran NPA camps. To the rebels, I urge them to talk and ventilate their sentiments so we can solve the problems together,” Año said.
Año said he visited Centcom to meet the troops and receive updates on the security situation in Central Visayas.
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