CAMP LAPU-LAPU, CEBU CITY – Presidential Peace Adviser Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. underscored the vital role of the security sector and national government agencies (NGAs) in ensuring the effective implementation of the Transformation Program for former rebels, their families, and communities.

Speaking during a Nexus orientation on Wednesday, January 22, Galvez emphasized the need for a united and deliberate multi-stakeholder approach to bringing peace, development and progress to communities.

“We have achieved major milestones here in the Visayas and as we continue to push forward our peacekeeping and peacebuilding initiatives in this island, there is no doubt that we will accomplish even more through our collective efforts,” Galvez said.

Program updates

Aligned with President Ferdinand R. Marco’s five-point peace, reconciliation and unity agenda, the orientation provided a venue for the security sector, NGAs, and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) to provide updates on their respective peacebuilding programs.

OPAPRU officials reported on the accomplishments of the agency’s various programs, which include the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) and Localized Peace Engagement, as well as the reintegration of members of the Revolutionary Proletarian Army – Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPM-P/RPA/ABB), now known as KAPATIRAN, and Cordillera Bodong Administration – Cordillera People’s Liberation Army (CBA-CPLA) into mainstream society.

According to Presidential Assistant for Local Conflict Transformation Undersecretary Wilben Mayor, the OPAPRU will continue its peacebuilding efforts under its localized peace engagements, particularly the establishment of the peace and development centers in key areas.

Mayor said these centers shall act as a repository and platform of convergence of all local peace initiatives.

“We will continue these intensified trends and cover additional areas in 2024 and 2025. We will mainstream and localize these interventions with partner LGUs as additional peace and development centers and reinforce initiatives towards the eradication of the communist insurgency in the remaining affected areas,” Mayor said.

Lieutenant General Fernando Reyeg, Commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Visayas Command, highlighted the importance of grassroots engagement and empowerment in peacebuilding.

“Localized peace engagements and transformation programs offer an opportunity to move beyond traditional approaches to conflict resolution,” Reyeg said.

“It’s a call for us to engage at the grassroots level, listen to the voices of those most affected by conflict, and empower communities to shape their own future,” he added.

Reyeg also stressed the need for the government to deliver on its commitments under the transformation of former rebels and their communities, especially in dismantling guerrilla fronts in the Visayas region.

Galvez echoed Reyeg’s views, emphasizing the need for closer coordination among stakeholders.

“All of us—NGAs and the security sector—must be on the same page. We must work as a more purposive, well-coordinated, and cohesive group,” he said.

Counterinsurgency efforts

For its part, the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) provided a situational report on the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) in Region 6, 7 and 8.

Despite a decline in CTG numbers and the declaration of Central Visayas as insurgency-free in 2024, NICA reported that Cebu remains a hub for the group’s urban operations.

“Although weakened, the CTG is still capable of launching tactical offensives in attempts to recover their stronghold communities,” the report said.

“Ensuring that the government’s counterinsurgency initiatives reach the grassroots is integral to achieving lasting peace and development,” it added.

PAMANA updates

Director J. Anthony Peña of OPAPRU’s Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) Program, shared updates on PAMANA projects that will be implemented in the Visayas region.

According to Peña, a total of PHP 848.7 million has been allocated for PAMANA Projects in 2025, which include water systems, roads, and electrification facilities, as well as site development.

To ensure their successful implementation, Galvez urged military commanders to validate these projects, particularly those located in Samar and other areas in the Visayas.

“These project proposals originated from your inputs. I ask the brigade commanders to monitor them closely,” he said.

Amnesty for FRs

Meanwhile, Director Christina Loren B. Umali of the RPA-CPLA Peace Process Office reported a 73.44% overall accomplishment rate for initiatives being carried out under the peace process with the KAPATIRAN and CBA-CPLA.

Umali noted that restoring civil and political rights remains the most challenging aspect of reintegrating KAPATIRAN and CBA-CPLA members into mainstream society .

To address this concern, Umali said the national government launched its amnesty program last year, wherein members of revolutionary groups who committed acts in pursuit of political beliefs before November 22, 2023 shall be granted amnesty.

The meeting was also attended by representatives from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

The agencies committed to fully support the implementation of the Transformation Program in the Visayas region, as they pledged to provide resources.###