Killing of Otaza and son condemned

WE STRONGLY condemn the killing of Mayor Dario Otaza and his son Daryl. Mayor Otaza of Loreto, Agusan del Sur, has been a reliable peace and development partner of the government for the welfare of his constituents, of whom 80-90 percent are lumad.

At this point, it is important to bring the perpetrators of this crime to justice. We have always called for a meaningful process with the Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army/

National Democratic Front, the kind that will bring the people closer to peace. The government continues to work on this table, but any violence on the ground makes the process more difficult than it is now. We urge everyone to join our call for an end to the violence against the people.

—ALEXANDER PADILLA, chair, Government of the Philippines Negotiating Panel for the talks with the CPP/NPA/NDF.