[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” av-desktop-hide=” av-medium-hide=” av-small-hide=” av-mini-hide=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=”]
[/av_textblock]
[av_one_full first min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ padding=’0px’ border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ background_color=” src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=”]
[av_heading heading=’EDITORIAL’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’29’ subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”][/av_heading]
[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
Sunday, November 26, 2017
[/av_textblock]
[av_textblock size=’18’ font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
JUST PEACE is an overarching concern for millions of Filipinos. This was the basis for the popular support the peace negotiations enjoyed during the initial months of the Duterte administration, when hopes for significant changes became possible with both sides exhibiting openness to resolve the roots of the armed conflict.
The road to a just peace under the Duterte presidency, however, has been littered with grave obstacles. Offensives from both sides – the government and the insurgents – in the countryside continue without let up.
These actions only served to sabotage the peace process, and hamper the confidence and goodwill measures carried out by both sides during the initial months of the Duterte presidency. Such actions harmful to the people do not, and never will, constitute a favorable environment for the peace negotiations.
That armed clashes continue to occur between government forces and the rebels is all the more reason to return to the negotiating table. The quest for just peace is a complicated process that requires perseverance amidst difficulties, wisdom in handling disagreements and a sincerity to bring about significant reforms as the people demand. It cannot be solved with armed might and threats and actual harming of defenseless civilians.
The experiences of past presidencies have shown that no amount of warmongering, ranting and saber-rattling can work against a people determined and united in its pursuit of just and lasting peace.
The government and the insurgents must return to the peace table, and do the hard work of hammering a peace agreement acceptable to both sides and to the Filipino people and avert the prolongation of an insurgency fueled by long-standing social injustice.
[/av_textblock]
[/av_one_full]
