The Alliance for Just and Lasting Peace in the Philippines (AJLPP) today welcomed the call of the Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform (PEPP) for the Philippine government for the resumption of peace negotiations with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) “without preconditions.” AJLPP national coordinator Mario Santos expresses utmost support to the call of the PEPP. He was happy with the statement of Archobishop Ledesma on the prospects of the resumption of peace talks.
AJLPP welcomes church calls for the resumption peace talks between NDFP and GRP
January 24, 2008
Los Angeles--The Alliance for Just and Lasting Peace in the Philippines (AJLPP) today welcomed the call of the Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform (PEPP) for the Philippine government for the resumption of peace negotiations with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) “without preconditions.”
AJLPP national coordinator Mario Santos expresses utmost support to the call of the PEPP. He was happy with the statement of Archobishop Ledesma on the prospects of the resumption of peace talks.
“We’d like to see peace talks resume immediately without preconditions and in accordance with all prior agreements,” said Caravan de Ore Archbishop Antonio Leadsman, who spoke for the PEPP.
The PEPP is composed of representatives from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), the National Council of Churches in the Philippines, Association of Major Religious Superiors of Men and Women in the Philippines (AMRSP), and the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEC).
However Santos also denounced Malacañang's position saying it does not help any in laying the ground for the continuation of peace negotiations.
He clarified that “a cessation of hostilities is the possible end-result of peace negotiations that can be achieved in the process of reaching mutual understandings, forging key agreements and resolving the socio-economic roots of the armed hostilities.”
Santos also expressed sadness that” Malacañang is still obsessed with its unrealistic and intransigent notion that it can put an end to the armed conflict even if only through military means.
This means the road to peace is still tortuous and hard. We have a long way to go.”
For more information about the ajlpp please contact Mario Santos at (415)309-5835 or email@alliance_seattle@yahoo.com
Original: AJLPP welcomes church calls for the resumption peace talks between NDFP and GRP