MINDANAO DAILY T H E P U RV E YO R O F T R U T H , J U S T I C E , A N D D E V E LO P M E N T
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Group urges NPA not to respond to HR abuses Volume VI, No. 174
Website: www.mindanaodailynews.com
By GERRY LEE GORIT Correspondent
CAGAYAN de Oro City--Church leaders have urged the New People’s Army (NPA) not to take any combat action that would jeopardize the ongoing peace negotiations following reports that some state forces personnel have committed human rights violations in rural communities. The Philippine Ecumenical
Duterte visits Midsayap town blast victims
Peace Platform (PEPP) has asked the Maoist fighters to stand down so the peace talks between the government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) could proceed smoothly. The NPA is the armed wing of the NDFP. In an interview, Bishop Felixberto Calang, PEPP co-convenor, said they received reports that communities have experienced alleged abuses at the hands of
Wednesday
the state agents. Calang said even the NPA supporters have asked the Maoist fighters to intervene and take action against these violations, but the Communist rebels have stood their ground to honor the unilateral ceasefire it declared and the ongoing peace talks. He said the guerrillas’ refusal to deal with the alleged abuses is a clear sign that they are sincere in maintaining the peace talks.
“The challenge of the government now is to restrain its state forces from committing these reported human rights violations, to conduct an investigation and to punish the violators. If the NDF is sincere in the peace negotiations, the government must also show its sincerity,” he added. For the peace negotiations to succeed, Calang said the people must be at the front and center of the whole process.
DAVAO City––President Rodrigo Duterte flew to Midsayap, North Cotabato on Christmas Day to comfort those who were injured during the grenade blast outside a Catholic church on Christmas Eve. Duterte proceeded to the Anecito T. Pesante Sr. Memorial Hospital where three of the injured were admitted. A total of 18 persons were injured, according to the Presidential News Desk. Three of them were admitted at the Pesante hospital, two in Cotabato Regional Medical Center in Cotabato City, one in Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City while 12 were treated as outpatients. Duterte handed over financial assistance to them Show of Force. New People’s Army guerrillas march during the 48th foundand vowed payment for ing anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines in the hinterland village of See VISITS, page A7
December 28, 2016
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He said if the communities have a say in the peace talks, it is most likely to push forward. “For lasting peace to be attained in Mindanao, it is important that people have the ownership to the peace talks, not just the NDF and the government,” Calang said If there are setbacks and the talks bog down, the people can urge the government and NDFP panelists to go back to the negotiating table, he added.
Young cadres take on the reins of revolution By Froilan Gallardo of MindaNews
MANANOM-BAGO, Medina, Misamis Oriental-Carrying an M16 rifle and a bandolier of spare ammunition, Jaito, a 22-year-old New People’s Army fighter,
walked toward the back of a makeshift stage where a couple of journalists were waiting for him. “I heard you need somebody to interview,” he told reporters who went to this village to cover the 48th See YOUNG, page A7
New police regional director installed in Northern Mindanao
CAMP Alagar, Cagayan de Oro City--A new regional police director has reported on Tuesday to this regional police command in Northern Mindanao. P/Chief Supt. Agripino Javier was installed as the new regional police director in Northern Mindanao replacing P/Chief Supt. Noel Lumiad in Paquibato District in Davao City on Monday, December 26. MindaNews photo Constantino.
In his acceptance speech, Javier said that he would continue with the programs of the outgoing police regional director without a plan to change anything. Javier said that he fully supports the policies and program of President Rodrigo Duterte and vowed to carry out the See POLICE, page A7
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