THE Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (Opapru) predicted that insurgency and terror groups would be "crushed by the end of the term of the Marcos administration."
Opapru Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. made the prediction on Sunday when The Manila Times asked him about the government's timetable for its campaign against insurgency and terrorism.
"We at the government are confident that we could be able to put an end to insurgency and terror groups, including the CPP-NPA (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army) before the term of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ends in 2028," Galvez said.
He said the timetable is doable given the ongoing peace process with the concerned sectors and support from its partners from other government agencies and the private sector.
Galvez led key government officials and diplomats during the ceremonial ringing of the Peace Bell held at the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City.
The annual event symbolizes peace, harmony, and solidarity, Galvez said.
"The bell's chiming calls for all Filipinos, regardless of religion, tribe or personal beliefs, to play a key role in peace-building," he said.
Galvez said that the ringing of the peace bell must not be viewed as a mere ceremonial act but "as an enormous transformative power that can touch people from all walks of life so that they too can become instruments of peace, development, and positive change."
Sunday's event coincided with the celebration of National Peace Consciousness Month.
Galvez said peace-building "starts within each one of us — the way we think, the way we feel and the way we act. This shift in mindset and attitude creates a ripple effect that enables us to help shape our communities, organizations and our nations."
He called on the Filipino people to come together to push forward, build on and sustain the gains of peace.
"It is now within our reach if we work together, transforming our minds and lives so that we become beacons of hope, mutual understanding and unity," said Galvez, a former Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff.