BACOLOD CITY: Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson hopes that the followers of the late Jose Maria 'Joma' Sison as leader of the country's communist movement will be really open to the peace process and will not consider armed struggle as the only option.

'We are also hoping that this will also be a reason to really give peace a chance,' Lacson said.

The governor said he expects that there will be 'a new leader to come out.'

He said that as far as the Army is concerned the NPA North Negros Front has been dismantled and the force of the communist terrorist group is really dwindling, and we're hoping it will continue, he said.

Lacson presided over the 4th quarter meeting of the Provincial Peace and Order Council and the Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council at the Capitol Social Hall on Monday.

Himamaylan City Mayor Raymund Tongson said the death of Sison 'should be defined separately.'