Randall Echanis, an unassuming man of peace, had sown and cared for enough seedlings to fill hectares of social activists who will not tire of pursuing justice and seeing into reality his fervent dreams – a bountiful harvest for Filipinos.
“Ka Fidel V. Agcaoili, my counterpart in the peace table in our efforts to try to end the decades-long armed conflict with the CPP-NPA (New People’s Army)-NDF, was a man of honor and conviction.” — government negotiator Silvestre Bello III
“According to the doctor, the cause of his death was pulmonary arterial rupture which caused massive internal bleeding. It was not Covid 19 related.”
Since the declaration of a unilateral ceasefire by the Duterte administration, the CPP said that at least 219 barangays nationwide have been subject to counter-insurgency operations. They also assert that Duterte’s real goal is to “use the pandemic as an opportunity to try and crush the ‘insurgency’ before the end of his term in office,” pointing out the focus on military operations instead of social services.
In a letter submitted to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on April 15, Luis Jalandoni said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) mounted 13 attacks or assaults against the New People’s Army (NPA) and conducted at least five aerial bombardment and artillery shelling in 96 towns and 196 villages.
“The Secretary-General (Guterres) encourages the parties to reach a lasting political solution and end this longstanding conflict.”
The CPP said the purpose of its unilateral ceasefire is to ensure and facilitate necessary, unhampered and immediate medical, health and economic assistance, support and movement of the people brought about by the exigencies of the current COVID-19 pandemic.
“The NDF greets the CPP in its ability to stay strong despite continuing attack and urges the people of the Southern Tagalog region to rise up and join the struggle.”
In a ceremony, leaders of Sandugo, an alliance of national minorities, express their gratitude to peace consultants of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) for upholding their rights in the peace negotiations with the government.
“These may be pieces of evidence, but not bone fragments.”
Sison said he expects to visit the country in July or August to “talk intensively” with incoming President Rodrigo Duterte about peace. By RONALYN V. OLEA Bulatlat.com MANILA – Jose Maria Sison, founder of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and chief political consultant of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), was…