TACLOBAN CITY – In a bid to encourage members of the New People’s Army (NPA) to return to the fold of the law, the military in Eastern Visayas is leveraging the observance of Love Month this February.
The campaign, dubbed “Love Will Lead You Back,” is spearheaded by the 802nd Infantry Brigade, which oversees the provinces of Leyte, and parts of Samar and Eastern Samar.
The initiative seeks to persuade rebels to abandon their armed struggle and lay down their arms, said Brigadier General Noel Vestuir, the brigade’s commanding officer, based in Ormoc City.
“This month of love, the 802nd Infantry Brigade delivers a strong message: abandon the fight, for love will lead you back home—to your family, to peace, to the heart’s true victory,” Vestuir said in an interview on Saturday.
Set against the backdrop of Valentine’s Day, the campaign aims to remind insurgents that peace and the warmth of their families await them.
“We hope that the love and support of their families will inspire active rebels to surrender, just like their former comrades who have already chosen to embrace peace,” Vestuir added.
In addition to emotional appeals, the brigade will harness technology to reach out to active rebels. Online campaigns will feature former insurgents, alongside their families, sharing their stories of reintegration and peacebuilding, aiming to inspire others to follow suit.
“This initiative blends technology and emotion to reach insurgents in ways that traditional methods may not,” Vestuir explained.
By showcasing the successful reintegration stories of former rebels, the program seeks to ease fears about surrendering and highlight the government’s commitment to peace, rehabilitation, and second chances for those who choose to leave the armed struggle behind.
As of now, 72 former NPA members have applied for the government’s amnesty program. Of these, 66 are from the Samar provinces, while 6 are from Leyte.
Under the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., the government has extended the offer of amnesty not only to NPA members but also to members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
