Neri Colmenares (Ace R. Morandante/davaotoday.com file photo)
TAGUM CITY — Two progressive solons warned of Red scare tactics that may be used to prevent the resumption of the stalled peace talks between government and the National Democratic Front (NDF).
“As in the past, and this early, the antiquated cold-war, Red scare tactic is once again being resurrected as bogey to frustrate the resumption of the peace talks with the NDF, the release of political prisoners and the possible appointments of left personalities in the Cabinet of President-elect Duterte,” Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate said in a statement on Thursday, May 19.
“These ultra-rightist and hawkish elements are desperate and despicable considering the openness and optimism of both the Duterte camp and the NDF to immediately return to the negotiating table, discuss and seek solutions to the root causes of the nearly five decade old armed rebellion in our country,” he added.
Both Sen. Antonio Trillanes and Panfilo Lacson expressed disagreement over the plan of the Duterte administration to grant amnesty to political prisoners.
Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares has also urged senators that, instead of sowing fear, “they should throw their support to the peace talks and stop sowing paranoia.”
“They should not delay the peace talks using the made up ghosts of both militarists and fascists.”
Colmenares said they supported the plan of presumptive President-elect Duterte to grant a general amnesty and to open the government to the Left because it shows their sincerity to help fix this country.
“Hindi naman pwedeng puro Kanan at ultra-Kanan lang ang nasa gubyerno kung pambansang pagkakaisa at pagbabago ang hangad natin (If we desire to have change and national unity, it is not right that we have only ultra-rightist as members of the government),” said Colmenares.
Both Colmenares and Zarate called all “patriotic and peace-loving Filipinos to rally behind this fresh wind of finding a political settlement and lasting peace in our country.”
“Specifically, we call on the members of the Church, the academe, people’s organizations and non-government organizations to be in the forefront of this peace endeavor.”
“They did it before; there is big possibility that they will do it again now. Thus, it is important that all the peace stakeholders should be actively engaged in this renewed peace initiatives,” Zarate warned. (davaotoday.com)
