KIKO URGES CEASEFIRE BETWEEN WARRING CAMPS
TO PREVENT LOSS OF MORE LIVES

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Social Justice Senator Francis 'Kiko' Pangilinan today urges the National Democratic Front, and its armed wing the New People's Army, and the Philippine military to immediately declare a ceasefire shortly after two minors were killed after having been caught in the crossfire.

"Wala nang saysay ang kaguluhan na ito lalo pa't nadadamay ang mga inosente at walang kinalaman sa giyerang ito," Pangilinan says. "Ilan pa ba ang kailangang mabuwis na buhay bago pa tayo mamulat sa katotohanan na walang magandang naidudulot ang hidwaan na ito? Tapusin na natin ito, para sa kapakanan ng ating mga anak."

Pangilinan has been calling relentlessly for a ceasefire between the government and insurgents to give way to formal talks in order to achieve lasting peace.

"I am sure I speak for everyone when I say we all long for lasting peace in the country. Whichever side you are on, we all long for the day when guns are finally silenced and we no longer need to bear arms. Four decades of fighting is too long. Let us not allow our children to be further victimized by the atrocities of war. We refuse to accept war and escalating violence as a fact of life. It should not be. What we need is lasting peace so we can create stability and progress for our citizens wherever they may be. We call on all armed groups to end these hostilities and instead build on making our communities safe and viable for livelihood opportunities. That will be our key to achieving peace."