Is it a deal or no deal? AFP dangles P200T, ceasefire to NPAs
In the spirit of the yuletide season, two major special offers are now up from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to communist terrorists New People's Army (NPA).
Special offer number one – a huge reward in exchange for surrender and special offer number two – ceasefire in the coming weeks. The NPA is the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and tagged on continued harrassments in hinterland barangays of the region.
In Western Visayas alone, The News Today (TNT) gathered that up for early Christmas "gifts" are P200,000 for each NPA soldier who is ready to give up the fight. Surrender with the firearm, specifics of the offer went, and get the cold cash without any fuss, Captain Lowen Gil Marquez, AFP's commanding officer of the 3rd Civil Relations Unit (CRU) assured. And it does not stop there.
For spending years of immersion in communist camps and forced battle with the government, the AFP will also help the surrenderee move on with his civilian life. As such, workshops and training programs will be conducted aimed at giving the communist surrenderee a sustainable livelihood post-NPA years.
In a TNT interview yesterday, Captain Marquez further said he is even willing to act as the negotiator to willing takers. Understandably, he added, the NPA fighters fear for their lives both from the offensives and continued operation of the government and fear from within the communist party.
"They can also surrender through their choice of local officials – their mayors, congressmen – and even the media. In the spirit of Christmas, we would certainly want them to spend the holidays with their families and take this time to have a new life," Captain Marquez added. "In this regard, we call on other militant groups – Bayan Muna, Gabriela, Leage of Filipino Students - to do the same and offer a better life to our brothers and sisters in the mountains free from violence."
A special appeal was likewise made by Captain Marquez to minor and women NPAs.
"In Panay there could be some 100 NPA fighters altogether. Their numbers are not really that significant but we have this offer still," he continued.
Meantime, the call for ceasefire was also made with Captain Marquez stressing that what the AFP wants is to have a peaceful and meaningful celebration for all.
It was not immediately clear how many Western Visayas villages remain under threat with the NPA presence and influence here.
So is it a deal or no deal? The answer remains to be seen.