Capitol, Akbayan to sign pact on guv's all-out war

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and the Akbayan party-list will be signing a pact on some points of her declaration of an all-out war against communist insurgency in the province.

Akbayan representatives Loreta Ann Rosales and Mario Aguja discussed the signing of the agreement with the governor during their visit to the Capitol last Wednesday.

Garcia stressed that her all-out war declaration was only aimed at addressing the province's insurgency problem without the use of military force, even condemning the extra-judicial killings in the country.

Although she expressed opposition to the declaration, Rosales said she was happy to be with the governor in the campaign for civil liberties and against human rights violations.

Rosales reiterated her declaration against extortion activities allegedly committed by the New People's Army.

Two NPA leaders, Gerard Lavadia and Sharon Abangan, were recently arrested in Talisay City for extorting P250,000 from a company in San Fernando town.

Rosales said that when she made a privilege speech in the House of Representatives against the extortion activities by the NPA, she was commended by various sectors.

The lawmaker urged the public not to pay the so-called revolutionary tax and "campaign funds" to the rebels in the election next year.

Rosales explained that the effort to stop paying "campaign funds" to the rebels during election could be a good start in the country's electoral reform.

As the Capitol and local Akbayan leaders are formally drafting the agreement, Garcia called on all concerned individuals to come forward and agree on some