By Jennylou Canon

PHOTO: GMA News

Incoming National Security Adviser (NSA) Clarita Carlos wants the direct inclusion of communist rebels  in resolving problems on the ground, saying that the government is “done with peace talks.”

“Include them, include mo sila sa pag implement nito on the ground. Di naman pwede sila reklamo na lang nang reklamo, tumatakbo sa kalye. Yung energy niyo sa kalye pwede ba magtulungan na lang tayo na ayusin on the ground ang mga kailangan ayusin,” Carlos said in an interview with ANC's Headstart.

Moreover, Carlos shut down possibilities of having another round of peace talks with communist rebels, noting that there have already been “agreements on certain things.”

“Tama na ‘yang peace talks na ‘yan, susmaryosep. I’m sure bata ka pa ginagawa na natin ‘yan. We’re done with peace talks. We have agreement on certain things, let us proceed with that,” she added.

The retired political science professor from the University of the Philippines (UP) underscored that they will not use militarist strategies such as negotiations because it “never works.”

When asked about whether or not the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) should be continued, she stressed that she will retain its peace and order councils as they work in finding the cause of insurgency.

“Ay yes! Kasi those are the ones that work e. Hindi ba kadugtong ‘yan ng local peace council,” Carlos said.

In addition, Carlos also plans to work in the route of peace councils as they are “the ones nearest to these insurgents who really want to have jobs, who want to have education, who really want to dream to be journalists, architects, social scientists like me.”

She added that the government should focus on the reasons why people go against the government instead of red-tagging them.

“Ang tao hindi makapag-aral, tapos wala siyang pangkabuhayan, tapos wala siyang oportunidad na talagang mag-dream, yun talaga ang tututukan mo,” the retired professor said.

“At dito natin tutukan talaga kung at talagang alamin ano ba talaga ang nasa damdamin nitong mga tao na to na lumalaban sa gobyerno dahil sa itong pagkukulang nila sa mga ganitong mga bagay,” she further stated.

Carlos gained prominence in the 2022 elections as one of the panelists in the presidential debate and forum organized by SMNI Network, which were the only televised events attended by President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Marcos Jr. appointed her as NSA on Wednesday, describing her as the "Propesora" in earlier interviews.

While Carlos is expected to become the National Security Adviser in the Marcos administration, she said that she has not been contacted by outgoing NSA Hermogenes Esperon.

“NSA Esperon has not talked to me nor has not sent a signal that I will be briefed so I’m blind. Until I know the structure of this office I can’t say anything yet. I don’t like to move when I don’t know,” Carlos added.


Edited by Danfe Lean Grace R. Elopre