Communist rebels dared to surrender men in Fatima blast

A GOVERNMENT of the Philippines (GPH) peace negotiating panel member dared the New People’s Army (NPA) to surrender its members who were behind the grenade attack in Barangay Fatima, Paquibato District that injured 47 residents.

Ednar Dayanghirang, GPH panel member, issued the challenge after the military/police press conference at Task Force Davao headquarters on Saturday.

"If they are really sincere on the peace negotiation, they have to surrender their members who were behind the grenade attack in Barangay Fatima for the victims to attain justice," Dayanghirang said.

Brigadier General Ariel Bernardo, commander of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division and chair of the Government’s Coordinating Committee on Cessation of Hostilities (GCCCH), also echoed the same call.

He said the NPA should take the peace negotiation seriously.

Dayanghirang said even before the incident in Fatima, past atrocities committed by the NPA is already affecting the ongoing peace negotiation of the GPH-NPA.

"In fact, the GPH has demanded for a long-term ceasefire, to end the use of landmine, and stop the killings of lumads and other atrocities committed to the civilians in observance of the peace talks and we hope na seryosohin naman ng NPA ito," Dayanghirang said.

Dayanghirang said the peace negotiation will resume either by end of this month or early October to discuss issues that were agreed by both parties last June 14-15 in a meeting facilitated by the Royal Norwegian Government.