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Official Publication of the Philippine Information Agency Bicol Regional Office, in cooperation with the RIAC-REDIRAS - RDC Bicol



Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Guv to govt forces, rebels - 'Initiate meaningful dialogue'

By Benilda A. Recebido

SORSOGON CITY, July 10 (PIA) -- The recent encounter between government troops and rebels in the hinterland barangay of Upper Calmayon, Juban Sorsogon underscores that peace although within our grasp, is still elusive, according to Sorsogon Governor Raul R. Lee.

Lee is urging both camps to cease hostilities since civilians have become unwitting victims of these encounters.

Lee said the incidents can no longer be considered "isolated," since the engagement of the two sides had also been recorded in other towns of Sorsogon, most recently in the towns of Irosin, Gubat, and Casiguran.

Just this July 7 one female participant and student of Bicol University-Gubat Campus was hit by bullets fired by perpetrators reportedly intended for the Gubat police who were serving as marshals to the running event at Barangay Buenavista in Gubat town.

The victim suffered gunshot wounds in both feet and was rushed to the hospital, later released by the hospital safely on the next day.

Lee said the succeeding incidents of encounters and harassment in the province marred the image which we desire for our province, it will undermine the efforts of my administration to put Sorsogon in the map of secured tourist destination and investor’s hub.

“I appeal and call upon all parties involved to initiate a meaningful dialogue to start in the local level in order to preserve life and explore all avenues to implement doable formula for a lasting peace. I call upon the leaders of the inter-faith community in the province to join me in our common quest for peace,” the Governor appealed.

“To this end, I am offering the resources of the provincial government as an initial step and reaching out to our brothers in the hills and the military for an end to the hostilities,” he further said. (MAL/BAR-PIA5, Sorsogon)

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