National Security Adviser Eduardo Año on Monday acknowledged a powerful new weapon in the fight against communist insurgency: the raw, unfiltered testimonies of former Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) rebels.
Speaking during the culmination of the three-day Nationwide Peace Advocates Summit in Quezon City, Secretary Año emphasized the critical role of former rebels in countering communist groups’ terror grooming, citing their personal testimonies as powerful tools in educating the public.
“Undoubtedly, their testimonies serve as powerful evidence of the CTG’s terror grooming. Their experiences will help empower young people to make more informed decisions in practicing their democratic rights and to protect them from crooked ideologies that destroy their future and our nation’s stability,” Año told summit participants, including 47 former rebels from all over the country.
He cited the importance of giving former rebels, particularly those from the youth and student sectors, a bigger role in public information drives.
“We will maximize the participation of FRs in our information awareness campaigns especially those who were once part of the youth and student sectors,” he said, emphasizing the importance of leveraging the diverse experiences of former rebel leaders to safeguard marginalized sectors.
He added: “With the diverse experiences of our FR leaders, the regional FR federations can play a critical role in protecting vulnerable sectors—urban poor, laborers, farmers, fisherfolks, and indigenous peoples—from CTG exploitation. Their deep understanding of sectoral organizing will aid the government in exposing and dismantling the CTG’s deceptive narratives and tactics.”
Año hailed a landmark achievement: the birth of the FRs organization, complete with its own elected leaders, strategic roadmap, and governing constitution.
Meanwhile, Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr., Executive Director of the Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), enjoined the FR leaders to embrace their renewed role in building stronger communities.
“Hinihikayat ko ang bawat isa sa inyo mga bagong halal na opisyal, mga kasapi, at mga katuwang na lubos nating samantalahin ang pagkakataong ito upang makapaghatid ng tunay na pagbabago,” Torres said.
He added: “Kaakibat ng pagbabalik-loob ang pagiging aktibo sa mga adhikaing makakabuti sa ating lipunan, lalo na sa paghubog ng mga polisiyang makakaapekto sa ating mga komunidad. Ang organisasyon niyo rin ang magiging kinatawan ng mga Former Rebel sa mga espasyong sibil.”
He highlighted the value of forging partnerships with government agencies and stakeholders for sustainable peace and development.
“Mahalaga ring mapalawak ang ating ugnayan sa mga ahensya ng pamahalaan upang makipagtulungan sa pagpapanatili ng kabuhayan, kaunlaran, at kapayapaan sa ating mga lugar,” Torres said. “Nasa ating mga kamay na ngayon ang susi upang maging ehemplo ng pagbabagong-buhay at pag-unlad.”
