Pimentel backs Yano call for ceasefire with NPA rebels

MANILA, Philippines – Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. backs Armed Forces chief Gen. Alexander Yano’s call for a ceasefire with the New People’s Army.

“General Yano is right tactically,” he said.

“I support his proposal. But I suggest the next time around, the Department of National Defense and the AFP should send an uncomplicated message. It is not good for the defense establishment to speak in different directions.”

Pimentel said he is dismayed at Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro for rejecting outright Yano’s proposal.

Teodoro’s stand betrays the administration’s “hypocrisy” in repeatedly declaring that it is leaving the door open to a resumption of peace negotiations with communist rebels, he added.

Pimentel said Yano had a point in calling for a ceasefire to entice communist rebels to return to the negotiating table.

“This was intended to prevent the peace talks from being unnecessarily disrupted by a shooting war,” he said.

It is ironic that Yano, a career military man, is vocal in prodding the government to try the peaceful approach, while a civilian defense secretary has taken a hawkish stance, Pimentel said.

On the other hand, Sen. Rodolfo Biazon, Senate committee on national defense and security chairman, said President Arroyo as commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces must stop the conflict between Yano and Teodoro.

A study must be made on the effects of the peace talks and cessation of hostilities in the past, he added.

Biazon said any differences in program and policy toward the CPP-NPA should be debated within the confines of a closed-door session among officials of the executive department, and a decision made by Mrs. Arroyo.

“However, if the decision to be made will require responses or actions from the legislature, a National Security Council session is order,” he said.

Meanwhile, Pimentel has called for a review of the administration’s all-out-war policy against the NPA to determine if it was the right solution.

The war has diminished the funds that should have gone to programs to improve the delivery of government services and alleviate poverty, he added. – Aurea Calica