Take bold steps for peace — Villegas

MANILA, Philippines - Negotiators should continue working and take bold steps to attain peace in the country, Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas, Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines president, said yesterday.

Villegas issued the call as the fifth round of peace talks between the government and the National Democratic Front is set from May 27 to June 1.

“We…commend the next round of the peace negotiations to the Prince of Peace… He calms all storms, silences the shrieking of demons and emboldens those who are discouraged and afraid,” Villegas said in a statement titled “Peace be with You.”

“We trust that our negotiators on both sides will be anointed by God’s Spirit so that His sons and daughters in this land that has already been drenched by so much blood may at last walk the ways of peace,” the statement read.

Villegas said it is understandable that some people had lost hope, but noted that “peace can still rebuild the nation.” 

Norwegian Ambassador Erik Førner said the fifth round of talks would be held in Noordwijk in the Netherlands. Norway has been facilitating the peace process with communist rebels since 2001.