Religious leaders call for release of political prisoners

(Contributed photo)
(Contributed photo)

A GROUP of religious leaders are calling on the government to free political prisoners especially the sick and the elderly who are vulnerable to the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), even as it welcomed the announcement of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) for a unilateral ceasefire.

In a statement, the Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform (PEPP) said the NDFP announced a unilateral ceasefire from March 26 to April 15, following President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration for a unilateral ceasefire which started last March 19 until April 15.

The group urged the government to exercise its magnanimity and release on humanitarian grounds, political prisoners especially the sick and elderly like Rey Claro Casambre of the Philippine Peace Center and other NDFP consultants.

The PEPP appreciates the commitment of both parties to halt the hostilities, even for just a brief period in order to address the Covid-19 pandemic.The parties’ separate declarations also address the call of the United Nations for a global ceasefire.

“Peace, however fragile, is very much needed in these trying times,” the PEPP said.

The PEPP also hopes that the unilateral ceasefire declarations will be faithfully observe by each party.

“In this season of Lent, let us reflect and pray that we will overcome this health crisis. We hope that after this predicament, the GRP-NDFP peace negotiations will prosper and peace will be had by all in our country,” the group added.

Meanwhile, another peace group in Mindanao is urging both the New People’s Army (NPA) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to observe “social distancing” in the battlefield as a short break from the anxieties and debilitating health effects of the Covid-19.

The Sowing the Seeds of Peace in Mindanao calls on both parties to unilaterally focus on fighting the viral outbreak as the Filipino people are already suffering from the health and economic impact of the disease.

The group said as the middle and upper classes may have the capacities for sustained home isolation, the majority poor, the daily wage earners, and the unemployed are being hit hard in the densely populated community.

“It is therefore extremely important for the GRP to shift its resources from war and rechannel them to the people’s health and sustenance. Now, more than ever, the monetary equivalence of a magazine of an M-16 rifle used to fight against fellow Filipinos can be used for critical protection equipment for frontline health personnel and for emergency cash subsidies to each fellow Filipino,” the group said.

On the other hand, the NPA is expected to stop tactical offensives and help address the health crisis through its primary health care capacities especially in the rural communities.

“The need for a united front to confront this global epidemic that is attacking our Third World nation stresses further the urgency and importance of signing the Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms (Caser), the provisions of which can serve as the foundation for a healthy people and health economy,” the group added.

Trending

No stories found.

Just in

No stories found.

Branded Content

No stories found.
SunStar Publishing Inc.
www.sunstar.com.ph