Negros lawmaker supports Aquino’s ‘no all-out war’ stand

Thursday, November 3, 2011

NEGROS Oriental Representative Jocelyn Limkaichong expressed Thursday her support to President Benigno Aquino III’s stand on the ongoing peace process in Mindanao.

Aquino earlier turned down requests for an all-out war declaration in Mindanao following the killing of 19 soldiers in Al-Barka town, Basilan last month and the series of attacks in Lanao de Norte and Zamboanga Sibugay. The attacks have been blamed on the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which has been talking peace with the government.

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In a statement sent to Sun.Star, Limkaichong said the stand of the President not to declare an all-out war against the MILF should be supported by all citizens “who respect human dignity, who desire peace and order and who steadfastly uphold the rule of law.”

“Against the evils of war, Filipinos must, now more than ever, speak with one voice. There should be no fence-sitters in this conflict,” she said.

Limkaichong appealed to his fellow lawmakers to rally behind Aquino, saying the President has laid down his policy, thus it is incumbent upon members of the government, regardless of political affiliations, to support him.

“Partisan politics must not infect the execution of a clear and laudable national policy in the pursuit of peace against the evil of war or lawless violence,” she said.

Limkaichong believes that an all out-war will only derail the programs already started by President Aquino in the areas of social services, education, health, agriculture and tourism concerns, as well as in creating a conducive atmosphere for investments and other economic activities in the country.

“For one, the cost of waging war against the MILF secessionist would only inflict more sufferings to the people of Mindanao; hence, it certainly is not the solution to the decades-old problem,” she said.

She called for justice, however, for the slain soldiers, saying those responsible for the death of the 19 valiant soldiers “should not be allowed to escape the rule of law.”

“We, therefore, express our confidence in the President in rejecting the strident calls for an all-out war against the MILF. We also convey our unwavering and unequivocal support to His Excellency,” she said.

Limkaichong is an ardent advocate of the Millennium Development Goals and has championed measures and implemented programs that revolve around, and redound to, social reform and human development, rights of women and children, and good governance. (LRM/With PR)