Defense chief backs peace talks; skeptic of Red’s sincerity

JARO, Leyte, April 13  -- Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana supports the decision of President Rodrigo Duterte to give the New People’s Army (NPA) last chance at the peace table although he questions the sincerity of communist rebels.

Speaking during the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) meeting at Villaconzoilo village here Friday, Lorenzana asked local officials to support the last chance of peace efforts.

“We will support the President for another peace talks until the NPA commit mistakes again,” Lorenzana told RPOC members and local government officials.

Citing past experiences, the defense chief is skeptical to the NPA’s commitment to end conflict in the country. “We want peace, but the problem with communist rebels, when they are at the peace table, peace is the farthest from their mind.”

“Peace is not their purpose, but to take advantage. When the government declared ceasefire, the NPAs benefitted more than the government. Their leaders were freed and went abroad to join the negotiations. They also launched massive recruitment in upland areas, taking advantage of the peaceful situation,” Lorenzana added.

President Duterte terminated peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines last year and declared an all-out war against rebels after several attacks were perpetrated against the military.

However, the Chief Executive recently announced his intention to give peace talks another last chance.

The regional council picked Villaconzoilo as venue of the second quarter meeting to showcase how the upland village transformed into a center for agriculture development in the region from being NPA-infested community few decades back.

“I was amazed how people applied simple technology in farming. I am aware that this used to be insurgency-affected area in the past, but now the village is well-developed and very peaceful. I hope all initiatives here will be replicated in other villages in the country,” Lorenzana told officials.

From producing high-value vegetables with a start-up capital of PHP1,800 from members’ contributions, the upland village evolved into a top farm-tourism destination in the province.

The organization managed to raise PHP25 million in assets with more than PHP4 million cash in the bank, and cultivates a 20-hectare farmland.

The farm produces lettuce, broccoli, carrots, cauliflowers, radish, asparagus, onions and strawberries, supplying groceries and hotels in the province.

The farm is also identified by the Agriculture Training Institute as learning site and school for practical and organic agriculture. Their training is accredited by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority. (SQM/PNA)