The militant Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) challenged the government to reciprocate the moves of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines in freeing the 2 Prisoners of War in Bicol. According to Danilo “Ka Daning” Ramos, secretary general of the group, “with this gesture of goodwill the CPP-NPA has proven itself that it is not a terrorist organization and that it is sincere in complying with what has been agreed upon in the talks. As for the GRP’s side it seems that its compliance with the agreements are really wanting. They have done nothing for the delisting of the CPP-NPA and Prof. Jose Maria Sison from the US terror list, many political prisoners like the Mamburao detainees are still languishing in jail and the indemnification of Martial rule victims is still forthcoming. Is the government really sincere in the peace talks?

“Also by not complying or by going only through the motions of complying the government’s motives for the peace talks are put into a bad light. Did they engage in it only because it is an election year?” asked the peasant leader.

As can be remembered the talks only resumed this year after the Government of the Republic of the Philippines unilaterally declared a suspension of the peace talks in 2001.

As for his part Carl Anthony Ala, public information officer of KMP, said “with the release of Lt. Fidelino and Private. Nemeno, the GRP must now release the Mamburao detainees and the other political prisoners. The Mamburao farmers’ release papers have been signed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo herself in 2001 but after 3 years they are still in prison,”

“For the peace talks to continue, all the two sides have to do is to comply with their agreements, hat is the challenge we pose to both parties,” ended Ala. # # #
 

KMP - 18 August 2004