Bishop pleads to gov’t, rebels: Talk, don’t shoot

BACOLOD CITY—A ranking Church official on Negros Island called on the government and communist rebels to return to the negotiating table and bring about lasting peace instead of spilling more blood in Negros Oriental province through an escalation of violence.

San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza, in a pastoral letter on Monday (Aug 5), said to “counter violence with violence” would only make the innocent suffer more.

“We understand the animosity and anger between the state forces and rebels. Both sides are burning with rage and desire for revenge,” the bishop said.

“Thus, all the more I appeal to all – please think of our people, especially the poor who are now and will continue to be affected by the bloody conflicts,” Alminaza said.

“Let us stop the cycle of violence by going back to the negotiating table and pursue a just and lasting peace.“

Alminaza said his appeal was for both the Duterte administration, that has threatened to declare martial law in Negros Oriental, and communist rebels who owned up to the killing of four police intelligence officers which enraged President Rodrigo Duterte.

Both sides, the bishop said, must always think of the poor now living in fear for being caught in the crossfire.

“Please listen to our consistent call for an integral climate of peace in the island of Negros, and in the whole country,” Alminaza said. “Let’s devote our energy, efforts and resources in looking for a lasting solution to end the prevailing social injustice,” he said.

“Moved by the pleadings and prayers of our people for an end to this growing climate of fear and bloodshed, as your pastor, I appeal: let us give peace a chance in our island of Negros. Let us pursue the peace of Jesus”, he added./TSB