Cops bike for peace in Laguna

MANILA, Philippines - Hundreds of bikers from Southern Tagalog will stage a 25-kilometer peace caravan in Laguna today to show support to the Aquino administration’s peace talks with the communist rebels.

Chief Superintendent Samuel Pagdilao Jr., Calabarzon police director, said bikers from the five police commands and peace advocacy and bikers’ groups were invited to take part in the caravan dubbed as “Padyak Para sa Kapayapaan 2010.”

The event, Pagdilao said, is aimed at showing support to the administration of President Aquino “in achieving lasting peace in the country through peace talks with the communist rebels.”

The Aquino administration has granted the request of the National Democratic Front to release the so-called “Morong 43” as a “confidence-building measure” to revive the long-stalled peace talks with the communist rebels.

Both sides have agreed to a cessation of hostilities during the Christmas season.

“We are hoping that this activity (caravan) would generate interest and awareness among our people and encourage both sides to sit down and talk peace,” Pagdilao said.

He said the caravan will kick off at the Laguna police headquarters in Sta. Cruz town at 6 a.m. and will end at the covered basketball court in Pangil town.