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NEWS RELEASE
23 August 2008
For Reference: REP LIZA LARGOZA MAZA 0920-9134540
Jang Monte (Public Information Officer) 0917-4049119
DESPITE TALKS OF RENEGOTIATION:
INTENSIFIED MILITARIZATION, ARROYO'S DDR TO ERODE MUTUAL CONFIDENCE IN
GRP-MILF PEACE TALKS
Gabriela Women's Party Representative Liza Largoza Maza today renewed
calls for the immediate cessation of hostilities and bombings in
contested areas in Mindanao and for the immediate resumption of peace
negotiations between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
"The call for peace is urgent. Intensified militarization will only
further erode the mutual confidence required for the resumption of
peace negotiations between the government and the MILF."
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"The Arroyo government should
make good in proving its sincerity in
going back to the negotiating table. Genuine talks for peace cannot
resume on President Arroyo's framework of disarmament, demobilization
and rehabilitation," said Maza.
It is estimated that over 220,000 individuals have now been displaced
in the provinces of Maguindanao, North Cotabato, Lanao del Sur and
Lanao del Norte. Evacuees composed mostly of women, children and the
elderly. Evacuation centers remain crowded amid insufficient food,
water and sanitation which now put children vulnerable to diseases.
The Gabriela solon also criticized the AFP's plans of arming more
civilians in the area as the latest proof of the government's
insincerity in the peace process, in addition to its evil agenda of
charter change and term extension in the aborted MOA-AD.
"This move courts war and bloodshed, proof that peace may very well be
last on the Arroyo government's agenda in Mindanao. Arming civilians
is a sure fire way of escalating the war and is clearly not a step
towards the resolution of issues long raised by the Bangsamoro people
in their armed struggle." #
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