The statement came on the day the New People's Army (NPA) celebrated its 39th founding anniversary. The NPA, a leading organization of the National Democratic Front (NDF), is the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
In his sermon, Fr. Picardal pointed out that the raging armed conflict across the nation is one of the manifestations of the "culture of death." He said one of the reasons why he is biking throughout the country is to urge both parties to put an end to the conflict.
He also urged the government and the communist group to resume peace negotiations without preconditions and to come up with a peace settlement that addresses the root of the conflict.
The peace negotiations that started 20 years ago did not progress and were practically abandoned.
Over the years, the revolutionary movement expanded its guerilla fronts and bases. Itsr tactical offensives against the military have been increasing.
The leftist group is noted for the attacks on "soft targets" like cell sites, buses, and company equipments. This is in retaliation to companies who refuse to pay "revolutionary taxes."
The group also resorted to assassinating "enemies of the people." These enemies of the people are the uncooperative government officials, corrupt police and military members, suspected informers, formers guerilla comrades, and those who gravely oppose the rebel group's beliefs and ideology.
In order for the peace talks to resume, one of the rebel's preconditions is for the Arryo administration to stop labeling the CPP-NPA as terrorist group. The United States and other European countries have included the CPP-NPA in the list of known international terrorists.
Fr. Picardal lamented that many civilians who are caught in the crossfire are either dead or forced to evacuate their homes. He said this is an outright violation of the human rights and must be stopped.
He added poverty, inequality, injustice, and exploitation are the root causes of the armed conflict that should have been addressed a long time ago.
"These lead to a slow death and can provoke people to resort to violence or eventually support the armed struggle," he stressed in the same interview.
Fr. Picardal hopes to widen the advocacy against the "culture of death" by aspiring for the "culture of life and peace."
