VP NOLI CALLS FOR SOBRIETY AND CONSULTATIONS
August 27, 2008

Vice President Noli "Kabayan" De Castro appealed to all sectors to exercise sobriety in dealing with the tenuous situation in Mindanao.

“While our armed forces are doing their best to protect the people, other political leaders should prevent the further escalation of violence which leaves mostly civilians, including children, as victims,” De Castro said.

The Vice President said there should be a broader and mass-based consultation of all affected communities so that lasting peace can be achieved under such terms that the tribal leaders and their constituents find conducive for the attainment of peace and progress given their peculiar social and ethnic backgrounds.

“Any efforts at autonomy must also be anchored on mutual respect and peaceful co-existence with other communities,” he said.

Describing the assaults by MILF elements in Lanao del Norte and Saranggani as atrocious acts, the Vice President said, "This government cannot condone the criminal terror being unleashed by a handful out to sabotage the path to a lasting peace. The burden of cracking the whip against the Umbra Kato and Bravo groups should be on the top leadership of the MILF if they really want to proceed with peaceful negotiations.

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