MANILA, Aug. 19 (PNA) — Aside from focused military operations, the Philippine Army (PA) is now using “social pressure” as part of its efforts to totally neutralize the insurgency threat in the countryside, according to Army chief Lt. Gen. Eduardo Año.
Año defines social pressure as efforts exerted by stakeholders and government organizations in convincing rebel fighters to abandon the insurgency movement, voluntarily surrender their arms and return to mainstream society.
And in return, these former rebels will be provided with livelihood opportunities and development projects for their communities.
Año said that once these former insurgents got prosperous living, then they were sending a message that living in peace was much better than conducting crimes and atrocities to the communities.
The PA chief said that this initiative was much better than hunting down and killing the estimated 4,000 rebel fighters remaining in the country. (PNA)