DAVAO CITY — Soldiers should not always use guns to attain peace, they must also be a peacemaker to attain peace, this was the message of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said on Friday.
Speaking before the Troops at the Philippine Army’s 401st Infantry Brigade headquarters in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, President Marcos said his government has adopted new approach in tackling internal conflict—encouraging soldiers to become peacemakers while combating groups threatening peace and democracy.
“Iba ang ating approach sa ating internal conflicts that we have within the Philippines at hinihingi natin sa ating mga sundalo ay kailangan maging war fighter and we still need war fighters and we still need the courage and the bravery and the sacrifice that you have shown,” the President told the troops of the 401st ID.
“But now there is an additional dimension to the job that you have. Yung mission ninyo ay hindi lang yung giyera kung hindi , you have to be also peacemakers at they must remember that kahit papaano, ang kaharap natin, Pilipino din yan,” he said.
While they pursue lawless elements, President Marcos said the military should also support government programs providing livelihood, land, shelter to rebels wanting to return to the fold of the law.
In November last year, the President signed Proclamation Nos. 403, 404, 405 and 406, granting amnesty to former rebels, and Executive Order No. 47, which amended a previous issuance creating the National Amnesty Commission.
And with regard to the improving security situation in the region, Marcos congratulated the military for the good work.
“Congratulations for the good work that you have done. Kagaya nga ng sinulat ko dun sa guestbook. Keep up the good work. Congratulations sa inyong successes,” he said.
Joint Task Force (JTF) Diamond, composed of the Army’s 401st, 402nd, 403rd, and 901st Infantry Brigades, covers most parts of Caraga and Northern Mindanao.
Among the notable accomplishments of the JTF Diamond include the neutralization of 200 communist rebels/terrorists (144 surrendered, 44 killed, and 12 captured) and seizure 311 firearms.
It also supported the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
From 2021 to present, the troops under the Army’s 4ID helped facilitated the surrender of 2,596 former rebels, of whom 2,167 or 83 percent were already awarded benefits under the E-CLIP, which granted financial assistance, livelihood training and grants, firearm remuneration, and housing and education assistance.
There is a reported downtrend in the presence of insurgents in the JTF Diamond’s area of responsibility from 437 rebels in the first quarter of 2023, which decreased by 28.6 percent to 312 as of February 15, 2024.
With the military’s relentless campaign, two regional insurgent groups with a total of 312 members and 306 firearms, have retreated to the mountains and no longer influence nearby barangays. PND
