AFP's Sobejana urges families, academe to ‘kill terrorism’ to end communist conflict

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief-of-Staff General Cirilito Sobejana Jr. appealed to families and the academe to join the effort to end the local communist armed conflict, urging them to "kill terrorism."

In a statement, Sobejana said parents and teachers have a role in ending the conflict, adding that good governance should also be practiced at home and in schools.

“While your soldiers kill terrorists, you in the academe should kill terrorism. If you are effective in countering terrorism, there are no terrorists. The Armed Forces will then serve as support in the development of our country, rather than going to war,” Sobejana said, partly in Filipino.

"We do not fight because we hate those who are in front of us; we fight because we love the people behind us,” Sobejana added.

The Chief of Staff made the statement as he also urged the active members of the New People’s Army (NPA) and members of other violent extremist groups to not miss the "opportunity" to return to the fold of the law through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).

He said the “formula” for ending this country's security problems was for citizens to do their part in the whole-of-nation approach to end the local communist armed conflict. This also includes non-government institutions and civil society organizations.

Sobejana said the national government is "truly sincere" in accepting rebels who want to start a new life. — DVM, GMA News