JUST like former fighters of the separatist Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), a legislator has proposed the integration of communist New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas into the Armed Forces and the National Police “to stop senseless fighting and help attain lasting peace and achieve continuous economic growth and development for the country.”

                Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino Rep. Jose Solis of Sorsogon has filed House Bill 3545, hoping to end what is considered the longest communist insurgency in Asia, which, he said, “has stunted our economic growth and has claimed the lives of many soldiers and civilians alike.”

                “Enough of war. The time has come to open the window for reconciliation and solidarity by means of integration,” said Solis.

                Solis, a retired colonel, noted that every effort to find resolution to the conflict has to be exhausted as the revolutionary warfare of the Communist Party, with the NPA as its military arm, continuously threatens the country’s peace and stability.

                In calling for the integration of qualified NPA guerrillas into the military and the police forces, Solis pointed to the past effort of the government to pursue a comprehensive and peaceful settlement of the armed conflicts with all rebel groups under the rule of law and the principle of peace and reconciliation.

                Solis said accepting NPA back into the folds of law and eventually providing them access to existing government socioeconomic services and integration program are essential to lasting peace.

                Under the proposal, about 1,500 vacancies in the National Police and another 1,500 in the Armed Forces will be allocated to qualified NPA surrenderors. However, the training programs for the surrenderors have to conform with existing laws, regulations and procedures.

                The authorities can also waive the requirements and qualifications entry of the NPA surrenderors into the police and the military subject to existing laws and regulations.

                Solis said that if the government can successfully integrate MNLF militia in the military force, there is no reason why it cannot successfully integrate NPA rebels as well.

Dominguez belies NPA accusation he helped foreign miners ‘trick people’

DAVAO CITY—Former presidential assistant for Mindanao Paul Dominguez has belied communist guerrilla accusations that he “coerced and deceived” communities to accept mining operations of a foreign-backed mining company in Tampakan, South Cotabato.

JUST like former fighters of the separatist Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), a legislator has proposed the integration of communist New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas into the Armed Forces and the National Police “to stop senseless fighting and help attain lasting peace and achieve continuous economic growth and development for the country.”

TWO senators said Sunday Malacañang’s refusal to order the release of the list of borrowers alleged to have benefited from the Quedancor swine- development project, on the ground such will violate bank secrecy laws, smacks of a cover-up.

THE National Police antikidnapping group on Sunday reported that only one kidnapping incident was reported during the first three months of the year.

THE Senate is set to conduct a separate inquiry into the alleged invasion by South Korean shipbuilder Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Ltd. of the Subic rain forest following the filing Monday by Sen. Loren Legarda of a resolution authorizing the investigation, in aid of remedial legislation.

A PROMINENT lawyer has asked the House of Representatives for the immediate passage of a bill that may help in arresting alleged malpractices in the rehabilitation of financially distressed companies.

SOME P20 million worth of illegal drug-making materials and laboratory equipment were destroyed by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).