UCAN REPORT: Catholic bishops must get behind new peace negotiations with communist rebels, the head of the fisherfolk organization Pamalakaya says.
“The Catholic community has a stake in the peace talks and it is morally and politically proper for the bishops to express interest and perform collective action for the resumption of the talks,” said Fernando Hicap, head of the organization.
The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines should “strongly endorse and support” the resumption of talks because President Aquino is “sabotaging the peace process.”
“The CBCP should actively work for the removal of all legal and political obstacles to the resumption of the talks,” Hicap said.
President Benigno Aquino III yesterday appointed a five-man panel to jumpstart peace negotiations with the the communist-led National Democratic Front (NDF). Norway will mediate at the talks which are expected to start before the end of the year.
Health Undersecretary Alexander Padilla, a lawyer, will be the chief government negotiator with known social reform advocates as peace panel members.
Leftist group Anakpawis today welcomed the government’s formation of its negotiating panel and hoped that talks will resume soon.
“The formation of the panel is a positive step toward the resumption of the peace talks. We hope for an immediate start of discussions on the next substantive agenda – the Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms,” said Anakpawis head Rafael Mariano.
He said the bishops should convince the government to proceed with confidence-building measures like the unconditional and immediate release of more than 400 political prisoners in the country.
An ecumenical group earlier called on the government to work for the resumption of the stalled peace negotiations between the government and communist rebels.
Holy Spirit Sister Arnold Maria Noel, convenor of a group that advances the implementation of a human rights agreement between the government and the rebels, said renewed peace negotiations will ease the plight of civilians affected by the conflict.
http://www.ucanews.com/2010/10/22/catholics-need-to-get-behind-peace-talks/
“The Catholic community has a stake in the peace talks and it is morally and politically proper for the bishops to express interest and perform collective action for the resumption of the talks,” said Fernando Hicap, head of the organization.
The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines should “strongly endorse and support” the resumption of talks because President Aquino is “sabotaging the peace process.”
“The CBCP should actively work for the removal of all legal and political obstacles to the resumption of the talks,” Hicap said.
President Benigno Aquino III yesterday appointed a five-man panel to jumpstart peace negotiations with the the communist-led National Democratic Front (NDF). Norway will mediate at the talks which are expected to start before the end of the year.
Health Undersecretary Alexander Padilla, a lawyer, will be the chief government negotiator with known social reform advocates as peace panel members.
Leftist group Anakpawis today welcomed the government’s formation of its negotiating panel and hoped that talks will resume soon.
“The formation of the panel is a positive step toward the resumption of the peace talks. We hope for an immediate start of discussions on the next substantive agenda – the Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms,” said Anakpawis head Rafael Mariano.
He said the bishops should convince the government to proceed with confidence-building measures like the unconditional and immediate release of more than 400 political prisoners in the country.
An ecumenical group earlier called on the government to work for the resumption of the stalled peace negotiations between the government and communist rebels.
Holy Spirit Sister Arnold Maria Noel, convenor of a group that advances the implementation of a human rights agreement between the government and the rebels, said renewed peace negotiations will ease the plight of civilians affected by the conflict.
http://www.ucanews.com/2010/10/22/catholics-need-to-get-behind-peace-talks/
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