The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) is accelerating the governmentβs comprehensive peacebuilding strategy, focusing on localized peace engagements, amnesty processing, and the holistic reintegration of former combatants who have disengaged from the armed component of the CPPβNPAβNDF into mainstream society.
Presidential Peace Adviser Secretary MEL SENEN SARMIENTO said the OPAPRU will continue the collaborative peace efforts to bring essential government services directly to communities once burdened by conflict. This mission is being executed in tight coordination with local government units (LGUs), security forces, and various national agencies to ensure no one is left behind in the transition to peace.
βUnder the guidance of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., our goal is not merely the cessation of hostilities but the cultivation of a lasting peace that addresses the root causes of conflict and reinforces positive peace,β Sarmiento said.
βBy bringing the government closer to the people, we are proving that the path of peace is far more rewarding than the path of armed struggle. We are committed to ensuring that every individual who chooses to lay down their arms is met with the tools and support necessary to become a partner in national nation-building,β Sarmiento added.
The Presidential Adviser said among the key peace efforts to dismantle the infrastructure of conflict and replace it with growth opportunities are:
- Localized Peace Engagements: Facilitating municipal and provincial-level dialogues and surrender processes to address community-specific grievances.
- Amnesty and Legal Normalization Support: Providing a clear legal pathway for former combatants in partnership with the National Amnesty Commission (NAC).
- Comprehensive Reintegration Program: Delivering livelihood assistance, educational support, and psychosocial services to ensure former combatants and their families can sustain a productive civilian life.
The OPAPRU co-leads the Localized Peace Engagement (LPE) Cluster of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) alongside the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
Sarmiento stressed that these initiatives aim to address the root causes of conflict while helping former combatants return to peaceful and productive civilian life.
The impact of these initiatives is already being felt in key areas, such as the Caraga Region, where a federation representing over 3,000 former NPA rebels has expressed renewed optimism. The group recently welcomed Secretary Sarmientoβs appointment under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., citing his leadership as a catalyst for more sustained peacebuilding efforts.
In Surigao del Sur, members of the United Caraganon for Peace & Development Federation, Inc. (UCPDFI) continue to transition through active government livelihood programs.
βSec. Sarmientoβs appointment is a step toward strengthening the governmentβs commitment to genuine peacebuilding, reconciliation, and inclusive national unity,β said Aljun Intano, President of UCPDFI.
βThe members of UCPDFI are in the process of reintegrating into their families and communities. We are highly encouraged by his appointment to continue working with the government to achieve lasting peace,β Intano added.
OPAPRU remains steadfast in its mission to transform former conflict zones into hubs of development, fostering a future where national unity is the foundation of Philippine progress.