OPPOSITION Sen. Chiz Escudero is calling on the government to finally sit down with communist rebels and include all major political and military stakeholders in negotiations to end the insurgencies which has crossed over to the violation of human rights and the oppression of civil liberties.

Escudero is alarmed with the rate of killings, abductions, and apprehensions that has been plaguing the Bicol region in recent weeks. On Thursday, militant groups condemned the killing of Bayan Muna spokesman Rodrigo Torres in Camarines Sur last November 10.

The media also reported that an alleged member of the New People’s Army (NPA) was killed and three others were arrested by government troops in the Compostela Valley.

“These deaths won’t stop unless peace is offered to the table by all the parties involved. The lull in peace talks with the National Democratic Front provides an opportunity to bring in other roups into the peace process without discarding what has been achieved so far in the talks,” he said.

Hopes were high about the resumption of the peace talks early this year. A disagreement with the demands of the NDF to release 14 of its “peace panel consultants” has caused further delay.
Presidential adviser on the Peace Process Annabelle Abaya meantime said the government is making efforts to reopen the discussions by getting a Norweigan mediator. “If at all, this is a good sign that peace is not thrown away,” the 40-year old Senator said.

However, Escudero asserted that even communities and local leaders should be included in the discussion or at least be part of the agenda.

“Let us include all stakeholders in the process so whatever is decided on has their support.We must pursue peace negotiations with the communist rebel groups within the framework of the Constitution, international humanitarian laws, and the national welfare.

He said Escudero said the next administration should review the current approach to the conflict and make the necessary changes that will ensure a successful resolution to the decades-long rebellion.

WITH the expiration of the price control on basic and prime commodities nearing, opposition Senator Chiz Escudero is asking the government to provide alternative means for traders to profit from their goods to avoid a similar situation the oil industry is facing.

The government has set a 60-day price cap on certain areas affected by typhoons so that consumers can expect a low price of certain goods even if there is a big demand. According to Escudero, the government should extend the price control policy in areas which were terribly hit or have not fully reeled from the simultaneous disasters.

“There are certain regions in Luzon such as Region 3, 4, and parts of Metro Manila which surprisingly have not yet recovered. The Department of Trade and Industry must carefully assess the areas which may still need a little consideration,” he said.

The price cap started last September 26 after tropical storm Ondoy flooded parts of the National Capital Region and nearby areas. This was also expanded in areas that were hit by the succeeding storms. Republic Act 7581 gives consumers protection by stabilizing the prices of basic necessities and prime commodities and by prescribing measures against undue price increases during emergency situations.

“I urge the DTI to launch special measures or programs that will both please the public and the industries that were affected by the price caps,” he said.

The 40-year-old lawmaker also lauded all the stakeholders for discussing the issue amicably. “Special times call for special measures. Let us not replicate the stalemate that the government and the oil industry are undergoing,” he said.