Galvez is set to retire next month. Mindanews Photo
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/ 14 Nov.) – Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Carlito Galvez said the military will eliminate the New People’s Army, armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, by next year.
“We are confident by 2019 we will be finishing the CPP-NPA,” Galvez told reporters during his visit at the Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) in Panacan here Tuesday.
But Anakpawis Partylist Rep. Ariel Casilao said the military sounded like a broken record for always claiming that it could end the NPA.
“They failed so many times because their approach of addressing the insurgency problem will not solve the very roots of the armed conflict, economic inequality, social injustice etc.,” he said.
He expressed concern it will only result to more human rights abuses.
“The AFP, in its desperate attempt to eradicate the CNN will result to more human rights violations, especially that AFP and other state security forces wrongfully define the enemies of the state which include legitimate organizations that are critical to government,” he added.
He said CNN (CPP-NPA-National Democratic Front of the Philippines) will continue to exist if the roots of the armed conflict are not addressed properly.
Galvez said the government forces are grateful for the support of local government units.
“We are happy that the support of the LGUs, of the people is very overwhelming and we have also good commanders.
We have the best commanders here in Eastmincom. And I am very happy that the performance of our unit has been very significant,” he said.
