Not just an issue of violence
Not just an issue of violence
By Satur Ocampo
Last December 22, a major daily published (as full-page ad) an appeal titled “Cease all hostilities until the 2016 elections.” It’s addressed to the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front of the Philippines (CPP-NPA-NDFP). It has 124 signatories “representing indigenous peoples, women, business, church groups, local government units, the academe and other sectors.”
The signatories thank the GPH and the NDFP “for heeding our call to declare a ceasefire during the Christmas season.” (The ceasefire, from Dec. 23 to Jan. 3, wasn’t mutually agreed but separately and unilaterally declared, first by the NDFP then by the GPH). They urge both sides to extend the ceasefire to June 8, 2016 “to ensure the electorate and candidates’ safety and security during the election period.”
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