Bishops urge resumption of peace talks

Catholic and Protestant bishops urged yesterday the resumption of formal peace talks between the government and the National Democratic Front (NDF).

At the gathering of peace and human rights advocates at the University of the Philippines’ Asian Center, Bishop Julio Labayen, former co-chairman of the Ecumenical Bishops Forum, reiterated the call for the continuation of the peace talks.

Labayen, along with other Catholic and Protestant bishops and thousands of other signatories, presented a petition statement called "Resume Formal Peace Talks Now!" to challenge President Arroyo’s claim that the Filipino people no longer want peace talks.

Meanwhile in Davao City, the Mindanao-based Bishop and Ulama Forum has renewed its call for the peace process, saying there is no other way to peace in Mindanao, except through respectful and patient dialogue.

However, it said the aspect of faith should now be given importance in the peace process. — Sandy Araneta, Edith Regalado and Lino de la Cruz