Letter to the Editor — Rejecting the total war policy

We would like to commend Mayor Tomas Osmeña for his responsible stance on the issue of insurgency by rejecting the total war policy of the Arroyo administration and for bravely issuing his statement even though he is endangering his cordial relationship with Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia who swallows hook, line and sinker what the President wants.

Indeed, at this time when the leader of the country desperately holds on to power amid questions of legitimacy, it is a welcome relief to have a government official like Mayor Osmeña who thinks and maintains a sense of history so we will not repeat the mistakes of the past. Going after the legitimate organizations now will only strengthen insurgency as people who still believe in legal processes will be forced to go underground.

Whoever thinks that using force and militarism is the handiwork only of men is making a huge mistake. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Gwendolyn Garcia are women.

Leny G. Ocasiones
Voices of Women for Human Rights (VOW4HR)