The killing of 27 civilians, including those in an ambush in La Castellana, Negros Occidental early this year, were among the cruel and senseless acts of violence inflicted by the New People's Army on non-combatants, that have made it difficult to resume the peace table, Presidential Adviser on Peace Process Teresita Quintos Deles said yesterday.
Deles emphasized the government's unwavering commitment to pursue peace through negotiations with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP/NPA/NDF), but said it should not be at the expense of the safety of the people and the sovereignty of the nation.
Communist rebels claimed that the peace talks are not going anywhere because of the government's records on human rights violations.
The ambush in Brgy. Puso, La Castellana in January, described as a massacre by local government and military officials, claimed the lives of eight civilians and a policemen, and caused injuries to eight other civilians and two policemen.
The NPA Leonardo Panaligan Command, had claimed responsibility for the incident, and apologized for the deaths of civilians saying their only intention was to disarm policemen and armed members of the Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team.
Reelected Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. and the Armed Forces of the Philippines are turning over four-year scholarship grants to seven dependents of the La Castellana massacre today at the Provincial Capitol grounds in Bacolod City, as the country marks the 115 th Philippine Independence Day.
Deles said the government has always been open and committed to bringing peace to the land, through peace talks with all insurgency groups.
The closure peace agreement between the former Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade and the government, that started in year 2000, is reportedly up for approval and signing by President Benigno Aquino III.
While the CPP-NPA-NDF has been quick to blame the government for human rights violations, it has its own shameful violations against civilians, Deles said, citing the La Castellana ambush of civilians, among others.
The peace talks between the government and the CPP-NPA-NDF has been off-and-on for several decades.
“It is unfortunate that after 22 difficult years of trying to achieve peace with the CPP-NPA-NDF, the talks are again in another prolonged impasse,” Deles said.
She said the government has the obligation to defend its integrity and sovereignty and its citizens from parties that seek to overthrow it and harm its populace.
Peace negotiations, Deles added, should have a clear agenda for ending violence and bringing peace.
“We shall pursue peace through other means that would effectively bring peace to our people through peaceful means,” Deles said.
http://www.visayandailystar.com/2013/June/12/topstory9.htm
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