JOINT Task Force Haribon Commander Gilbert Gapay has advised Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio to be cautious in talking with the New People’s Army (NPA) and to test the sincerity of the communist rebels to proceed in the negotiating table.
Gapay said Wednesday, March 1, that they have not talked with Duterte-Carpio personally but only with her staff.
He had already given his input on how to deal with the NPA.
“We advise them that first, we should be sure na we will be talking to the right group dahil ang gusto ni Mayor ay she will talk to the NPA as a group,” he said.
Gapay said a localized peace talk is better since a top-level negotiation has a tendency to collapse. It would also encourage the participation of local officials in negotiating with the NPA.
“Yes, mas maganda ito kasi unang-una, 'yung mga local leaders natin should have a more active role sa pagtaguyod ng peace process, ng peace initiatives,” he added.
He said the group welcomed the peace initiative of the City Government in pursuing peace in its area of responsibility and listening to the rebels’ plights and demands.
Duterte-Carpio issued the statement calling for a peace talk after series of armed encounters in Paquibato and Calinan District which affected many individuals and resulted to the fatality of NPA members and government troops.
“Actually, ang mga staff palang niya napag-usapan namin na in general terms but ang sinabi din ni Mayor, she wants to hear from the NPA kung ano talaga 'yung gusto nila at para malaman din natin kung ano rin ang maitulong natin sa kanila,” he said.
The commander said the NPA should abandon the armed struggle, hostilities, harassment in communities, and sabotaging the economic activities in the upland areas of the city in a bid to show their willingness for the peace talks.
“If they are true to their word, they should stop their violent actions and atrocities in communities; (and) they should stop extortion, (and) harassment of troops,” Gapay said.
In Davao City, the total strength of the military including the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit in the areas of JTH would reach to almost 3,000. Currently, they are requesting for additional battalion to beef up the security measures of the Davao City against lawless armed groups.