'Godless' groups threaten RP and the world, Arroyo says

President Arroyo on Tuesday said certain groups who espouse "ideologies without a god" pose serious economic and security threats to the Philippines and the rest of the world. She said these groups have twisted religious teachings to let violence flourish and have prevented peace from prospering. Mrs. Arroyo delivered her message at the Regional Interfaith Cooperation for Peace, Development and Human Dignity in Cebu province. New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark, who is in the Philippines on the second of her four-day official visit, was in attendance at the event. She already addressed the dialogue's opening ceremonies last Monday. Mrs. Arroyo said several sectors have erroneously interpreted teachings from heaven. These groups, the President said, have deepened discords in the country and around the world. The Arroyo administration has vowed to crush the armed threat from the Communist Party of the Philippines. Malacañang earlier alleged that communist rebels colluded with disgruntled soldiers and opposition leaders in a bid to remove her from office. Senior security advisers have also tagged leftist lawmakers in the House of Representatives to the rebellion efforts and the CPP. The President on Tuesday urged people to practice daily religious lives and to respect everyone despite differences in belief. She will hold a Cabinet meeting in Cebu after the interfaith dialogue. Clark and Mrs. Arroyo are expected to discuss a wide range of issues during the official visit, including counter-terrorism and New Zealand's relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean). The Philippines assumes leadership of the Asean later this year.-GMANews.TV