NEWS AT A GLANCE

Reyes should be investigated, church group says

The Promotion of Church People’s Response (PCPR) said this week Gen. Angelo Reyes, former defense chief, “doesn’t deserve a graceful exit” and must be subjected to an in-depth investigation and public trial.

The PCPR maintained that Reyes’ resignation is not enough in the face of unresolved issues of corruption against him.  

“This Sunday, if the former defense chief has thought of going to church, he should take time to confess all his sins of corruption, public disservice, war crimes and human rights abuses in all the years that he chiefly implemented the government’s all-out war policy,” Fr. Allan Arcebuche, PCPR spokesperson, said.

Arcebuche said: “We are dismayed by the government’s failure to seriously investigate the allegations regarding Reyes’ role in the Davao bombings. It is most unfair that innocent Muslims were illegally arrested and tortured to proclaim themselves as the culprits behind the Davao International Airport and Sasa wharf bombings.”

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NPA steps up offensives in Mindoro, Mindanao

Oriental Mindoro — Three days after President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo visited this province, New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas launched two successive attacks, killing eight soldiers and wounding seven policemen.

The NPA ambushed the 19^th SFC in Sityo Singco, Bgy. Bukal, Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro, Aug. 19.  The next day, the rebels attacked the Army’s Charlie Company of the 16^th Infantry Battalion and Sablayan municipal police station in Sitio Kambingan, Bgy. San Agustin, Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro.

The rebels seized 15 high-powered rifles (HPRs), including an M56mm bazooka, an M203 and other military equipment.

In a statement sent through email, the Lucio de Guzman Command said the tactical offensives were aimed at punishing the most rabid criminal elements of the 204^th Brigade, said to be responsible for cases of salvaging, torture, summary execution and other human rights violations.

Meanwhile, the Ernesto Roa Command of the NPA raided a detachment of the Citizens Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) at Bgy. Conception, Valencia in Bukidnon.

They took with them 15 HPRs including one M16, six M14, six garand and two carbine rifles. 

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Peace advocates urge resumption of peace talks

Pilgrims for Peace, a broad network of peace advocates in the Philippines, reiterated its call to resume formal peace negotiations as it marked the 11th year of the landmark agreement between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).

Pilgrims for Peace last week said peace talks should resume on the basis of the Hague joint Declaration signed by both parties on Sept. 1, 1992. The declaration set the objectives and defined the framework of the GRP-NDFP peace negotiations on four substantive agenda, namely: respect for human rights and international humanitarian law, social and economic reforms, political reforms and cessation of hostilities.

Pilgrims for Peace will hold a National Peace Conference entitled  “Just and Lasting Peace: A Continuing Challenge Amid Intensifying Global and National Crises” on Sept. 12 at the Environment Studies Institute (ESI), Miriam College, Katipunan Ave., QC.

Bulatlat.com

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