• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
National Security Adviser (NSA) Eduardo Oban Jr. supported the rejection of renewed peace negotiations with communist rebels by Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, saying dialogue would only revive their fading insurgency.
In a statement, Oban said peace talks should not be allowed to become a lifeline for a dying insurgency.
To reopen negotiations at this time, he added, would only overturn the hard-won victories that Filipino communities have achieved through years of courage, sacrifice, and peacebuilding.
Noting that communities that were once trapped in fear and coercion have rejected the NPA, Oban, who is also the vice chairperson of the National Task Force Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), said those towns and barangays have continued to restore local governance, welcome genuine development, and choose lawful democratic participation over armed violence.
Thirty-two civil society organizations in Negros are calling for the resumption of peace talks between the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front, to end hostilities following the deaths of 19 individuals in series of gun battles between Army soldiers and suspected New People’s Army in Toboso, Negros Occidental.
In a joint statement, leaders of the Caritas-Bacolod – Social Action Foundation, Paghimud-os Negros Inc, Negrosanon Initiative for Climate and the Environment (NICE) Inc, Task Force Detainees of the Philippines – Visayas, Quidan Kaisahan Negros Occidental Inc, Negrosanon Young Leaders Institute Inc, Dakila Bacolod, Akbayan Youth – Bacolod, Alliance of Socialist Feminist in Bacolod (SocFem), and Kaisahan Tungo sa Kaunlaran ng Kanayunan at Repormang Pansakahan Inc (KAISAHAN), Diocese of San Carlos Lunhaw Integral Ecology Ministry, and Paghili-usa sa Paghidaet Negros, among other groups, called on the provincial government of Negros Occidental and local authorities to exercise their mandates to address these root causes through inclusive and equitable development.
They also urged all parties involved to uphold their commitment in the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law.
Addressing the conflicting narratives surrounding the encounter, the civil society groups demanded a credible, transparent investigation to ensure accountability and establish the truth.
Authorities have maintained that those killed in Toboso encounters were New People’s Army rebels, as they also recovered 24 assorted high-powered firearms.
The groups also sought clarification on rules regarding the immersion of civilians in conflict areas, and that all parties should strictly uphold the international humanitarian law and the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law to protect non combatants.*
