MEMBERS of the Makabayan Coalition on Friday called for peace negotiations in order to achieve a just and sustainable peace and expressed concern over the announcement of a military lockdown in the highland region of Himamaylan City in Negros Occidental.
Following a battle between members of the 94th Infantry Battalion and a New People’s Army unit in Sitio Sig-ang, Barangay Carabalan, Himamaylan City on October 6, there have been reports from Karapatan Negros of a military lockdown in Negros.
The Philippine Army is conducting manhunt operations while bombarding the area with artillery, mortar, and machine gun fire from a helicopter.
“We vehemently denounce the military lockdown and the indiscriminate bombing by the Philippine Army that has caused fear and has compromised the safety of the residents of the uplands of Himamaylan,” ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro said.
“We renew the call for the resumption of peace talks, especially as the Comprehensive Agreement on Social Economic Reforms is next on the agenda, and so that the common goal of addressing poverty and attaining just and lasting peace can be realized.”
The arrests of seven sugar workers, namely Pablo Abela Jr., Lito Abela, Angelo Abela, Aplredo Abela, Homer Liansing, Angelo Alejo and Hendro Alejo, are among the several human rights violations that have been documented.
“Residents are already starving due to insufficient food packs. The Armed Forces of the Philippines must end this outrageous spending on bombings, combat operations, and deployment of helicopters and allocate it to social services to alleviate the effects of the crisis,” Gabriela party- list Rep. Arlene Brosas said.
Gabriela will file a resolution to demand an investigation into the recent occurrences of violations of human rights in Himamaylan and to urge the government to pick up the pace of peace negotiations and deal with the causes of armed conflict.