Bishops hit extension of 'Oplan Bantay Laya'

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines – The Ecumenical Bishops Forum (EBF) yesterday urged the government to push through with the peace talks with the communist rebels.

This, as the EBF denounced the move of President Aquino to extend Oplan Bantay Laya, the military’s anti-insurgency strategy.

This was the gist of a three-day workshop on peace attended by EBF members from some Christian denominations in northwestern Mindanao that ended here yesterday.

For the EBF, Oplan Bantay Laya would hinder any efforts to achieve lasting peace in Mindanao.

“Instead of addressing the root causes of the problem, Oplan Bantay Laya will only worsen it,” said Bishop Elmer Bolocon of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines.

For his part, Catholic Bishop Deogracias Iñiquez, EBF co-chairman, said that should the peace talks resume, they must be transparent and participative.