Press Release
May 11, 2007

Recto appeals for political truce anew

Senator Ralph Recto has urged all political forces, from candidates of the different parties to the insurgents and Moro rebels to give our people a respite from violence before the May 14 elections.

"Peace should be foremost in the minds of our people, from those who are engaged in the bitterest political rivalry down to the contests that pit husbands versus wives, sons versus fathers and brothers against brothers," he said.

Recto made the appeal in the wake of an ambush in Mindoro Occidental that killed five police escorts of Governor Josephine Sato last Thursday morning and wounded six other policemen.

Several hours later, Orly Marcellana, a nominee of the Anakpawis party-list, survived an ambush staged by men armed with M-16 rifles in the industrial town of Cabuyao, Laguna.

An ambush in Zamboanga del Norte killed the driver of Siocon Mayor Cesar Soriano, a former broadcaster, while a leader of South Cotabato Rep. Darlene Antonino was shot in Tupi town.

Earlier, six supporters of a congressional candidate were also killed in an ambush in Abra while a policeman died in Jaen, Nueva Ecija when two rival camps clashed.

"These violent incidents cast a pall of gloom on the May 14 elections," Recto lamented.

"Days before the polls, and as foreign observers are streaming in, more and more people are getting killed. The issue of mayhem during the political exercise would be seen worldwide and screaming headlines would remind the international community that Filipinos are tearing each other apart," he added.

Recto urged all Filipinos to regard the May 14 elections as an occasion for collective discipline and mature political contests.

"I am disappointed that politics has become a deadly business in the country and I would wish that all the protagonists start their journey towards enlightenment, like St. Paul seeing the light," he added.

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