April 29, 2025 – Manila, Philippines — In a historic move that bolsters the Philippine government’s push for lasting peace, 47 former regional leaders of the New People’s Army (NPA) have officially renounced armed struggle, choosing instead to champion peace and civic leadership.
These former rebels participated in the Nationwide Peace Advocates Summit held from April 26 to 28, which culminated in the formation of the National Former Rebels People’s Organization Federation — the first of its kind in the country. The group aims to be an active partner in policymaking on peacebuilding, local development, and protection of vulnerable sectors, especially the youth.
The federation elected Noel Legaspi, a former Deputy Secretary of the Far South Mindanao Regional Party Committee, as its first president. In his address, Legaspi expressed deep reflection and remorse over years spent in armed conflict.
“We wasted so much life and effort believing in a fight the Filipino people never accepted,” said Legaspi. “It’s time to come home, to rethink what we were taught, and choose peace over a struggle that no longer has meaning.”
He was joined by Arian Jane Ramos, once a high-ranking guerrilla leader, who emphasized that the armed struggle is no longer relevant.
“We are all Filipinos… it’s time to end this. We’re alive — that’s what matters. And the government is helping us not with money, but with a chance to continue helping others,” she said.
Building a Coalition for Peace
The summit, spearheaded by the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), featured strategic planning workshops, discussions on amnesty protocols, and legal literacy sessions. Government agencies briefed participants on available livelihood programs, education assistance, and cooperative development.
NTF-ELCAC Executive Director Usec. Ernesto C. Torres Jr. commended the participants for their unified stance:
“You are now an organized force — with clear direction, purpose, and voice.”
National Security Adviser Eduardo Año highlighted the unique role of former rebels in the peace process, stating:
“The most credible messengers of truth are those who once lived the lie — and walked away from it.”
A New Framework for Peace and Development
The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) announced the upcoming rollout of the Sustainable Peace and Development Convergence Program (SPDCP) — a successor to the PAMANA program. SPDCP aims to synchronize national and local peacebuilding efforts, focusing on inclusive economic growth and conflict prevention.
Presidential Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. emphasized that peacebuilding must go beyond reintegration:
“It continues through convergence — where efforts are aligned to empower communities, reform systems, and plant the seeds of lasting peace.”
A National Mandate for Unity
During the summit, the government reaffirmed its commitment to peace through the National Action Plan for Unity, Peace, and Development (NAP-UPD) 2025–2028, approved by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.. The plan outlines a principled, inclusive approach to resolving internal armed conflicts.
“For the country to move forward as a strong, undivided nation, the government will pursue peaceful resolution — with neither blame nor surrender, but with dignity for all,” the President declared.
From Resistance to Representation
The newly-formed federation has been officially recognized as a private sector representative in the Joint Regional Task Force (JRTF) technical working groups — marking its integration into national peace mechanisms.
The National Amnesty Commission (NAC) reported 2,547 amnesty applications as of April 18, 2025, including 1,638 from CPP-NPA-NDF members. This surge has led to the activation of more Local Amnesty Boards (LABs) and the issuance of safe conduct passes to qualified applicants.
A Future Forged in Peace
The summit closed with a renewed commitment among the former rebels to take part in nation-building.
“We may have walked a different path in the past, but we now walk together toward peace,” said Legaspi. “We are not asking for charity. We are asking for the means to stand on our own — to become builders of peace, not bystanders to it.”
With a clear message that armed struggle no longer has a place in a democratic society, the formation of this federation marks a pivotal chapter in the country’s pursuit of peace — one where former rebels are no longer insurgents, but agents of change.