DEMANDING RELEASE. Activists call for the release of political prisoners following the arrests of alleged Communist Party of the Philippines leaders Benito and Wilma Tiamzon and want government to resume peace talks with the communist group to address the roots of conflict. (Ace Morandante/davaotoday.com )
FARMERS TAGGED. Two farmers from Magpet, North Cotabato, Ramil Atao and Boy Ata, aired their grievance that soldiers harassed them and later named them on a radio program as sympathizers of the New People's Army. They appealed through human rights group Karapatan to clear their names for fear of arrest or attack. (Medel Hernani/davaotoday.com)
The Moro National Liberation Front–Executive Council of 15 (MNLF-EC15) said that the peace agreement signed today between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (GRP-MILF) is “problematic” and accused the Malacanang of abrogating the 1996 First Peace Agreement (FPA) with the MNLF,
More than 300 Moro residents here and elsewhere in the region spill into the streets and a public park here and hang green streamers and buntings in a festive mood to celebrate what they say is "historic" day for the Bangsamoro communities here, as Malacanang and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) signed the peace pact today.
A village chieftain here lambasted the military for forcing residents to sign a document that would portray them as “NPA (New People’s Army) surrenderees.”