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Church, military form advisory group

Bishop supports push for peace and hopes it will get the support of the people
Church, military form advisory group
Soldiers help clean a local community in an attempt to change its image. (Photo: Armed Forces of the Philippines)
Published: May 11, 2011 08:09 AM GMT
Updated: May 11, 2011 10:44 AM GMT

The Catholic Church and the armed forces have decided to create an advisory group to promote peace and development in the northern part of the country. "Insurgency cannot be solved through the barrel of the gun, but by reaching out to the less fortunate we can let them know that the government works for them," said Colonel Harold Cabreros, deputy commander of the 7th civil military operations brigade. He said the government has come up with a "paradigm shift" to promote peace by reaching out to people in remote villages. He also emphasized the importance of working with the Church because it is the "local builder of faith and hope for the poor." Bishop Sergio Utleg of Laoag said he has long been advocating peace and with the "people-centered approach" of the military he hopes it will get the support of the people. The bishop said the role of the Church is to help identify the needs and major concerns of local communities and act as a bridge between the military and the people. "We will do our best to support and pray for a lasting peace and progress in our community," he said. Early this year the military launched an internal peace and security plan aimed at getting the help of stakeholders in the peace process, especially among the people. Cabreros said the approach requires the military to act as a "support system" for other government strategic policies for peace, security and development, such as the delivery of basic social services and infrastructure projects. Communist rebels, however, dubbed the move as a "fascist mass surveillance scheme" that should be resisted by the people. The rebels earlier tagged members of the clergy in the central Philippines who joined in a dialogue with the military as "working for the devil." Santiago Salas, spokesperson of the National Democratic Front in the region, called on the Church, media, lawyers and other human rights advocates to resist the military's new strategy. PL14171

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