Peace process must remain within constitutional limits

The gaps in the 2001 ceasefire agreement must be addressed. While we are for peace, we must build a peace process that recognizes its limits under the Constitution.

While we welcome the efforts of the Armed Forces to capture and bring to justice those responsible for the murderous rampage that led to the deaths of our men in uniform, we must reiterate our position that bombings and the capture of rebel camps do not necessarily lead to victory in the field.

The US dropped more bombs during the Vietnam War than they then did during World War II, yet they lost to the Vietnamese.

We must win the peace. Military operations, war, and destruction will not achieve this.

Conduct regular barangay-based typhoon drills

We call on Local Government Units and other concerned agencies to include typhoon drills as part of their efforts in disaster preparedness.

As a means to strengthen disaster preparedness and educate our citizens on the necessity of evacuation operations and procedure during times of typhoons, LGUs and Regional Disaster Coordinating Councils should undertake typhoon drills on a regular basis.

Our schools and offices undertake earthquake drills regularly even if we have earthquakes perhaps once or twice a year, yet we do not have typhoon drills despite the fact that we have 20 typhoons hitting the country each year.

According to Local officials and rescue workers, when typhoons Pedring and Quiel hit, most homeowners refused to leave their property despite early warnings of flooding. This prompted a debate on whether the PNP and AFP should use forced evacuation procedures in such cases. Typhoon drills would address this concern as this will give the public the necessary information.

Disaster preparedness is the best way to ensure that lives are saved, and death and injuries brought down to a minimum. After visiting the disaster areas of Pampanga and Bulacan and conferring with local officials and our men from both the AFP and PNP, we see this drill as an effective way to educate and enlighten our citizens on the issue.

To our soldiers: Rally behind Mendoza and Rabusa

Tiwala tayo na agad na aaksyunan ni PNoy ang usapin ng tiwaling mga palakad sa AFP. Ito ang isang mabigat na dahilan kung bakit hanggang ngayon hindi matapos-tapos ang giyera sa Mindanao at kanayunan. Dahil sa halip na pagsusundalo ang inaatupag ng mga heneral ay pabaon at paano magpayaman ang prioridad ng mga ito. Wala silang interes na matapos ang bakbakan dahil kapag nangyari ito ay mababawasan ang gastusin sa AFP na maaari pa nilang nakawin. Kawawa ang ating mga kawal. Buhay ang binubuwis para sa AFP habang ang mga heneral ay walang sawa sa pabaon at kurakot. Hamon sa liderato ng AFP na ipakita na tunay nga na hindi na ganito ang palakad sa ating sandatahang lakas.

Sa ating mga kawal, huwag ninyong tingnan na balakid ang pangyayaring ito. Kundi, dapat ay tingnan ito na pagkakataon na linisin ang sandatahang lakas na kapag natupad ay hindi lamang bagong bota, pabahay, o pag-aaral ng inyong mga anak ang matatamasa ninyo. Dagdag pa sa mga ito ay ang malaking posibilidad na wala nang giyera sa ating bansa kung maayos ang ating lipunan.

Image Source: Quoted News