NASSA/Caritas supports environment chief's plan to work with NPA

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 21): NASSA/Caritas supports environment chief's plan to work with NPA

The National Secretariat for Social Action (NASSA)/Caritas Philippines has expressed support for Environment Secretary Gina Lopez's plan to work with the National People's Army (NPA).

"That's a very good initiative and move -- pursuing the peace process while seeking to collaborate with stakeholders for social change," said Fr. Edwin Gariguez, executive secretary of NASSA/Caritas Philippines.

"It is a challenge to pursue social justice without recourse to violence. The poor are often the victims of environmental injustice."

According to the official of the social advocacy, development and humanitarian arm of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), such initiative is needed to achieve peace.

"We need to seek and open windows for dialogue and lasting peace," Gariguez said, adding that the rebels would hopefully cooperate.

On Thursday, Lopez said she is looking to work with the communist group to make Agusan del Sur a model of her department's “ecological, economic, educational” thrust.


http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=981564