Manila (AsiaNews) - "The communist rebels need a new evangelization to be reintegrated into society." This according to Fr. Salvador Nocomora of the Archdiocese of Manila. "Many of them – he added - are Christians and joined the ranks of the rebels because of poverty and unemployment present in rural areas."  

The guerrilla war between the Philippine army and rebels of the Communist New People's Army, armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), has lasted since 1968. It has caused thousands of deaths and destroyed the economy in rural areas of the central regions of the country. On September 5, 2007, President Arroyo issued an amnesty for members of the NPA and launched the Social Integration Program for former rebels. To date, about 4,500 are still part of NPA guerrillas. 1301 villages are controlled by rebels. These are mainly concentrated in the provinces of Marinduque, Bohol, Romblon, and Misamis Lyte, all located in the archipelago of the Visayas (central Philippines).  

Celeste Frank Sayson, Philippine Army spokesman said: "Today the new recruits are mostly minors. Many veterans have returned to their homes by accepting the social integration program proposed by the government". The program foresees over the next six months, the development of rural areas, such as building schools, roads and farms.

According to Father Nocomora development programs and integration proposed by the government are a failure and this is also due to the poor evangelization of the rural population and the corruption of the military. For this there are still many young people entering the ranks of the rebels. "We must cultivate the faith of these people - adds Fr. Nocomora - thanks to the faith they might realize that peace is better than armed struggle".