AKSYON Demokratiko presidential bet Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso said the national government needs to address the root causes of armed conflict in the country.
In a press conference held during his listening tour in Mindoro, Domagoso said ongoing insurgencies in the country originated from widespread joblessness and desperation.
“Yung insurgency, it boils down to hanapbuhay. Pag walang hanapbuhay ang tao, minsan, natutulak siya sa pader,” he said.
“Sa probinsya, insurgency ang problema. Sa Manila o Metro Manila, for that matter, pag gutom ang tao, ang tendency, mamemerwisyo ng kapwa niya,” he added.
When people are assured of security in terms of jobs, food, and access to basic utilities, Domagoso said people would be discouraged from rebelling against the government.
“So, that’s why the best way to do it is bigyan mo ng kapanatagan ang tao na makapaghanapbuhay siya. May kuryente siyang hindi panakanaka, mura ang bilihin, I think nobody in his right mind would go in the mountain and fight the government,” he said.
Citing that far-flung communities are especially vulnerable to the influence of armed groups, Domagoso said the national government should provide these areas with the resources to develop their local sources of livelihood and give them access to domestic and foreign markets where they can sell their crops.
“I think that’s the way to do it, to give opportunity sa ating mga kababayan, lalo na sa mga parkland areas kasi ‘yon madalas ang makumbinse,” he said.
He added that access to education and healthcare should also be improved to address the spread of violent extremism and deter armed conflict.
“Sa tingin ko, may hanapbuhay ang mga tao, may access sa education, may access sa better healthcare, nobody in his right mind to go against it (and) go against the government,” he said.
Domagoso was an observer during the peace talks between the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front, a coalition of revolutionary organizations supporting the Communist Party of the Philippines.
