MANILA - The very men responsible for the arrest of more than 500 political prisoners are willing to accept the latter's impending release under the Duterte administration if this means there will be a more lasting peace in the country.

READ: Families of political prisoners in Philippines see hope in Duterte

Even Lieutenant General Eduardo Año, the commanding general of the Philippine Army, is convinced that the end to the decades-long communist insurgency will not be through a military solution.

"Our focused military operations is really to pressure the CPP-NPA (Communist Party of the Philippines – News People's Army) to abandon the struggle, para tigilan na nila yung pakikipaglaban. Ako, for myself, I've been in the military for 34 years as an officer, 37 kasama nung kadete. Pag-graduate pa lang namin, labanan na kaagad with the CPP-NPA until now, it's high time really to find a permanent solution," Año said.

"Siguro, more than anyone else in the country, ang number one na may gusto ng peace ay sundalo. Yung sinasabing ire-release si ganito, eh kung yun ang makakapag-deliver ng permanent settlement para magkaroon ng peace, why not diba?"

Año said history suggests that achieving permanent peace can be best obtained through proper negotiation.

''Ako naniniwala ako na ang pag-resolve ng conflict, hindi ubusan ng lahi eh. Kasi palagi na lang, kapag may ipinanganak, may kasunod na naman," said Año.

"Lahat naman ng giyera sa mundo, natapos lahat yan through negotiation -- World War 1, World War 2, Korean War, Vietnam War."

President-elect Rodrigo Duterte has said he is willing to release all political prisoners even if the peace negotiations are not yet finished, as long as the other side will show sincerity in talks.

'SINCERITY NEEDED'

But the Army chief appeals to the CPP-NPA for sincerity, should they agree to go back to the negotiating table.

He recommends an immediate ceasefire before negotiations start, and for the CPP-NPA to ease up on demanding preconditions that have proven untenable and have caused previous negotiations to break down.

"I just hope that the other side will be serious. Sana, serious sila. Para matapos na 'to," said Año.

"Instead of giving preconditions, let us work out for an immediate ceasefire, so we can talk. Mahirap mag-usap nang nagpuputukan, 'di ba? And then dapat talagang sincere ang commitment na ito talaga ang gusto nating mangyari. Ang dami nang namatay, ang dami nang nahirapan, naha-hamper ang development, so ito parang ano ito, clean slate to start everything."

SOLDIERS' MORALE NOT AFFECTED

Año said the morale of the members of the Philippine Army would not be affected by the possible release of the political prisoners, even if they had risked their lives to arrest them.

The Army chief said all the troops need is a clear explanation of what would happen.

Año said a permanent solution to the communist insurgency would be to give the Army the space it needs to finally shift its focus from internal security threats to the defense of territorial integrity, especially in the West Philippine Sea.