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Pacquiao calls on NPA rebels to end fighting


MANILA, Philippines - Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao on Tuesday called on the New People’s Army to end its almost four-decade-long insurgency. Pacquiao, in an ambush interview Tuesday in General Santos City, said he would like to try the role of a peace maker and vowed to do everything he can to convince the rebels to lay down their arms. The boxer, who has initially been named ambassador of peace understanding and later called by President Arroyo as “apostle of peace and understanding," attended the Social Integration Program (SIP) presentation and awarding ceremony to seven former rebels in Phela Grande Convention Center in General Santos. “Katulad ngayon, masaya tayo dahil may mga ilang kababayang rebels na nagbalik sa pamahalaan, masaya tayo diyan…At nanawagan ako sa lahat na nasa bundok pa pwede na silang bumalik loob sa pamahalaan. Pwede akong kausapin nila at tawagan," he added. (Right now, I am happy because some of our rebel brothers have returned to the folds of the law…I calling on other rebels to lay down their arms too. They can call me and I will talk to them.) Talks resumption Presidential adviser on the peace process Avelino Razon Jr. said the government is looking at the possible resumption of negotiations with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) within the next two months. “We have good news. It seems that both panels, the government panel and the CPP-NPA-NDF, are now ready to return to the negotiating table," Razon said in a briefing in General Santos City. He said it is now just a matter of continuing the informal meetings to be able to set the agenda and set the date for the formal meeting. “We are looking at sometime end of June or July makikita natin ito in progress," he added. Razon, in a text message, said Norway remains the facilitator of the talks between the government and the CPP-NPA-NDF and are expected to host the formal talk when it resumes. Asked if some of the points raised by the CPP-NPA-NDF had already been addressed or resolved, he said it would be discussed when the panels meet. Symbol of peace Razon said Pacquiao has been tapped to be the “symbol" of peace and unity because each time he fights communist and Muslim insurgents were drawn away briefly from combat duties to watch the bout. President Arroyo said she depends on Pacquiao to become an instrument of peace in Mindanao, citing that his “heart, valiance, dignity and love of God and of our country exemplify the indomitable and triumphant Filipino Spirit." “We are truly proud of Manny as he also champions the Filipino, inspiring the Filipino to dare to dream, and to realize that dream, and win over the challenges that came our way," she said in the Visayan language. She added that Pacquiao, who has humble beginnings before becoming a multi-millionaire by winning many world titles in boxing, is proof that if one sets his heart in the right direction, choose to serve a higher and nobler purpose, and put God and country before self, then nothing is impossible to achieve.. Arroyo, during the SIP ceremony, assured former rebels that her government is always there to “help," as she branded the insurgency movement as a “misguided rebel movement in our country." She expressed hope the rebel-returnees would encourage others who remain in the mountains “to give up the way of violence and embrace the path of peace and development." The President added that the SIP offers former rebels better opportunities. Under the SIP, the former rebels are now referred to as the “Kabalikat sa Reporma" where they and their dependents are provided with means to that would help facilitate their integration into mainstream society to become productive members of their communities. Assistance package The immediate assistance includes P20,000 as immediate economic assistance, P50,000 as capital assistance in the form of working animals, farm implements, and/or and sari-sari store goods, among others to help them rebuild their economic and social lives. Those who surrendered their firearms would get additional funds like P50,000 for an M16 or M14 rifle. Razon said each returnee would also be provided seminar-workshops where they are briefed and acquainted with other program opportunities they can avail of, including livelihood packages, employment, training and education assistance. He said that to date, 513 former rebels have already given assistance while 291 more are being processed since the SIP was launched 11 months ago. He said a total of 288 firearms have also already been surrendered by former rebels. - GMANews.TV
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