Ex-ISAFP chief Corpus: I don't see any benefit in all-out war

A retired military general who once defected to the New People's Army (NPA) on Wednesday said waging an all-out war against communist rebels will not end the government's decades-old armed conflict with the group.

In a media forum in Quezon City, former Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) chief Brig. Gen. Victor Corpus said the government and the NPA have nothing to gain from an all out offensive against each other.

"Wala kang makukuha sa all-out war. I don't see any benefit sa all-out war. Both sides will suffer," Corpus told reporters, saying the the Duterte administration's move would only trigger more violence.

"We cannot solve this problem through violence. From my experience, hindi uubra 'yung puro violence sa society," he added.

The former ISAFP chief said both the government and National Democratic Front (NDF) panels should exert effort in achieving societal reforms without having to resort to violence.

"Both sides should take measures to bring it (peace talks) back," Corpus said. "I think it's better to achieve reforms or revolutionize changes through peaceful means."

In 1970 while still a young lieutenant, Corpus, a member of the Philippines Military Academy (PMA) batch 1967, led a raid on the PMA armory. At the time, he had just defected to the NPA.

But in 1976, he became disenchanted with the movement, surrendered to the government, and was imprisoned for 10 years. He was given amnesty in 1987 by then President Corazon Aquino.

All-out war

In a press briefing in Malacañang on Tuesday, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana announced that government forces is waging an all-out war against the New People's Army.

"Yes, it is an all-out war. Tinawag na silang terorista ng Presidente. Ano ba ang pagkakaiba nila sa Abu Sayyaf? They terrorize people to get money," Lorenzana said.

But the defense chief stressed that the all-out war will only be against the armed component of the rebel group.

Corpus said that as much as he wanted the peace talks to continue despite the announcement, he will respect the President's decision.

"That's only a wish. But I'm not suggesting to the President to do this or do that," he said.

"If that is what he wants, that from his point of view ay dapat gawin, I go with him. I will follow what the President says," he added. — MDM, GMA News