Mindanao groups call for peace talk resumption, release of POWS

From InterAksyon (Feb 25): Mindanao groups call for peace talk resumption, release of POWS



Family members of slain activists in Mindanao appealed to President Duterte on Saturday to resume peace talks with the communists and stop the Philippine Army's all-out anti-insurgency campaign that has targeted activists like their slain family members.

The appeal was made by Irene Anglao, daughter of slain lumad leader Renato Anglao of Quezon, Bukidnon, during a press conference Friday by church leaders in Mindanao calling for the resumption of peace talks.

Irene and other families were invited to give their testimonies on the effects of the all-out war to their families and communities.


Photograph from Kilab Multimedia
Irene demanded justice for her father's death: "His death is linked to the struggle for our land."

Irene elaborated on their local community's struggle with an estate owner who wanted to lease out their land for agribusiness.

"Many of our lumad leaders here in Bukidnon are killed. We need peace talks because this is for everyone, we can see in our experiences how many lives are lost," she said.

Although Anglao was killed prior to the army's declaration of the all-out war, five lumads and farmer-leaders in Mindanao were killed in February in the course of the all-out war.

Another testimony came from Carmelita Ramos, mother of slain Bayan Muna member Glen Ramos in Barangay Maa, Davao City last February 6. State forces claimed her son Ramos was a supply officer for the New People's Army, which she denied.

Bishop Felixberto Calang, convener of Sowing the Seeds of Peace, supported the families' call for justice, and said these testimonies are "compelling reasons for the (peace) talks to continue."

Calang, who was an observer in the peace talks in Rome last January, said the talks between the government and the National Democratic Front had been achieving substantive points about socioeconomic reforms when President Duterte called off the talks over cease fire issues.

Calang said his group, and others, would hold peace rallies all over Mindanao "calling for the continuation of the GRP-NDFP peace talks and denouncing the policy of all-out war."

In another development, Sowing the Seeds of Peace and the group Exodus for Justice and Peace, will act as facilitators for the release six soldiers and police officers held as prisoners of war by the New People's Army in various areas in Mindanao.

The peace groups made this announcement in UCCP Haran Davao City, at a press conference attended by families of the POWs.

In their statement, the groups also said, "we shall continue to do our part to call and work for the release of political prisoners as mandated by the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL)."

National Democratic Front-Mindanao spokesperson Ka Joaquin had said they will release the POWs, "as a gesture of support towards the resumption of formal talks between GRP and the NDFP."

The captured soldiers are PO2 Jerome Anthony Natividad, Private Edwin Salan, Sgt. Solaiman Calucop, Pfc. Samuel Garay, Cafgu Active Auxiliary Rene Doller and Carl Marc Nucos

Some of the wives of the captured POWs welcomed the announcement, saying they look forward to be reunited with their husbands.

http://interaksyon.com/article/137305/mindanao-groups-call-for-peace-talk-resumption-release-of-pows