TANJAY CITY, Negros Oriental, Sept. 30 (PIA) -- A top military official in Negros Oriental underscored the important role of the media in reporting the truth about the peace and development initiatives of the government in the province. 

Philippine Army 302nd Infantry Brigade Commander BGen. Leonardo Peña said the fourth estate is also involved in the multi-sectoral “whole of nation” approach to end the threat of communist insurgency which hinders the province from achieving sustainable progress.

Peña said the government and the media can become partners in this endeavor. 

“Sana po magkatulong-tulong tayo. Kaya po ang sinasabi namin ang fight laban sa CPP-NPA-NDF is not only the fight of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP). It is our fight. It is a fight of the ‘whole of nation’ and the ‘whole of government.’ Part po kayo ng ‘whole of nation’ kahit hindi affiliated sa government entity iyong iba ang sa inyo at importante kayo sa ating bansa (We hope that we can work together. The fight against the CPP-NPA-NDF is not only for the AFP and the PNP. It is the fight of the ‘whole of nation’ and the ‘whole of government.’ You are part of the ‘whole of nation’ even though most of you are not affiliated with the government. You are important for our nation),” he added. 

Peña was referring to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)-New People’s Army (NPA) - National Democratic Front (NDF) which is an alleged Communist-Terrorist-Group (CTG) according to the national government. 

The commanding officer of the 302nd IB made the statement during a media briefing held at their headquarters in Camp Leon Kilat, Tanjay City

The activity aimed to brief the local media on the achievements of the brigade in the fight against CTGs in the province and their peace and development initiatives. 

Aside from this, the event also aims to foster solidarity and camaraderie between the government security forces and the local media. 

Peña also stressed that the public perceives members of the media as bearers of truth and this will help in the government’s peace campaign especially in preventing people from joining the alleged rebel-terrorist group, noting that most sectors of the society have already been infiltrated by the said group.  

“You are the vessels of communication. Marami ang nakikinig sa inyo. Naniniwala po ako na iisa tayo sa damdamin at adhikain dito sa ating bansa. Gusto rin ninyo na maging maunlad at mapayapa ang ating bansa. Kailangan po talaga magka-isa tayo to promote peace and progress (A lot of people will listen to you. I believe we share the same goal of bringing peace and progress to our country. Let us unite to promote these),” Peña said. 

On the other hand, Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Negros Oriental Provincial Manager Jennifer Tilos expressed commitment and support to the PA’s peace and development initiatives. 

Tilos also emphasized that local journalists will continue to uphold the truth and disseminate the right information in the best interest of the public. 

She also pushed for more engagements between the government security forces and the media to provide updates on the peace and security status in the province.

“The media is here to support any development as it is being said to tell the truth, the right information to our target audience,” Tilos said. (RAL/PIA7 Negros Oriental)