Bayan calls for peace talks after NPA bomb attack in Masbate

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) on Wednesday called for peace talks between the government and the Communist Party of the Philippines after the deadly land mine attack by rebels in Masbate City.

In a statement, Bayan Secretary General Renato Reyes pointed out that peace talks can lead to a just and lasting peace in the country if the cause of the armed conflict is addressed.

“The tragic deaths in Masbate are a reminder of the existing armed conflict in the country and the need to pursue peace negotiations as a means to end the fighting,” he said.

“Peace talks have resulted in the signing of the CARHRIHL (Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Law), which should guide both sides in the armed conflict on the rules of war,” he added.

On Sunday, college football player Kieth Absalon, 21, and his relative Nolven were killed in a bomb and gun attack perpetrated by the New People’s Army (NPA).

On Tuesday, the CPP-NPA expressed remorse over the incident, with CPP spokesman Marco Valbuena attributing it to "errors of an NPA unit."

Valbuena said: "The entire CPP and NPA express deep remorse and take full responsibility for the untimely deaths of cousins Kieth and Nolven Absalon."

According to Reyes, the deaths of two civilians are a violation of International Humanitarian Law, which prohibits harm on unarmed civilians in the course of the armed conflict.

While expressing his condolences to the family of the victims, Reyes said the deaths of the civilians were condemnable.

Reyes said the concerned NPA armed units must conduct a thorough investigation into the incident, and submit its report to the Joint Monitoring Committee of the CARHRIHL.

“There should be accountability in accordance with the mechanisms agreed upon by both parties to the armed conflict,"  he said.

Citing Part IV, Article 6 of the CARHRIHL, Reyes said indemnification of the families of the victims  should be provided.

“The JMC should be convened as a mechanism for the aggrieved parties who wish to file a complaint against erring armed units,” he said.

On Wednesday, the Department of the Interior and Local Government urged the CPP-NPA to surrender the perpetrators to state authorities. —LBG, GMA News