23/08/2016
Message of Sympathy
On June 26, 2016, an unidentified number of communist rebels attacked a community in Barangay Payapag, Bacuag, Surigao del Norte.
According to the news, after the attack, a 7-year old girl was declared dead. In pursuit of personal ideology, a life has been added to the statistics of casualties – a victim of another senseless violence.
It is claimed that in pursuit of the communist ideology, taking-up arms is necessary. However, no matter what the cause is, violence is never justified, for it is the very curse of a civilized society, it is an irrationality, an evil that lurks in the corner waiting to murder another innocent victim – another innocent life.
Indeed, in a diverse world, difference of opinion and ideology is an inevitability. But actions that take the life of the other; that kills not just their body but consumes wholly their dreams; engulfs their aspirations and deprives them of the opportunity to grow as individuals is abhorrent, low, and intolerable.
Hence, the Youth for Peace Movement (TALBOS), an organization that advocates peace, is condemning the crime and inhumane act committed which caused us the life of an innocent child – another wasted torch bearer, which we all call “Pag-asa” – the hope of our nation.
Further, we are appealing to the government of the Republic of the Philippines and the leaders of the CPP-NPA-NDF to finally come to terms and fast track the ongoing peace negotiations so that no more life would be wasted through unnecessary violence.
We are appealing to the CPP-NPA-NDF to administer their groups in respect to the International Humanitarian Law, the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Law (CARHRIL), and other pertinent laws they have signed upon and in accordance with the principles of pacta sund servanda (carrying-out obligations in good faith).
We appeal to the CPP-NPA-NDF to generally pause the armed struggle by issuing an order to the group’s militia to momentarily halt as a negotiation of putting an end to the conflict is on process.
We also appeal to the CPP-NPA-NDF not to tolerate any criminality committed by their members, thus surrender them and enable them to be subjected to any judicial proceedings and face the consequences of the act if a crime is proven committed.
We appeal to the government to seek for justice for the poor child and the family who are mourning for her death, and arrest the people who were behind the attack.
Lastly, we appeal to all peace advocates, concerned citizens, and the Filipino people to support us in this call. Let us all do our part in any other way to achieve peace in Mindanao for only when peace is sought genuinely through love, understanding, respect and non-violence will our nation truly meaningfully prosper.
As individuals, our most important task is to transform our consciousness so that violence is no longer an option for us in our personal lives. That understanding, that a world of peace, is possible only if we relate to each other as peaceful beings – one individual at a time.
The youth is not just the hope of the future – WE ARE THE FUTURE!
Hear us.
Read: http://balita.net.ph/2016/06/26/7-anyos-patay-sa-pag-atake-ng-npa/481787/