KASTAN CPA-Abra welcomes the release of Kennedy Bangibang, NDFP consultant for the Cordillera and National Minority affairs
August 17, 2016
Kakailian Salakniban Tay Amin a Nagtaudan – Cordillera People’s Alliance Abra (KASTAN CPA – Abra) welcomes the release of Kennedy Bangibang, NDFP consultant for Cordillera indigenous peoples’ concerns. Bangibang was released by the Judge Emmanuel Rasing of the Regional Trial Court Branch 3 in Baguio city after he was allowed to post bail. Bangibang was illegally arrested by state forces while on a bus in Bugias, Benguet last February 2013.
Bangibang’s presence during the peace talks is very important as he is expected to bring to the negotiating table the various concerns of indigenous peoples’ communities. IP communities has been victimized by militarization, rampant human rights violations and development aggression. He is also expected to share the Peace consutation held in Lacub, Abra last April 2010 wherein Indigenous Peoples from the Cordillera Region bought before the representatives of the GPH and the NDFP the demands of the IPs in the Cordilleras for just and lasting peace.
We urge the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte to honor his promise and hasten the release of the other NDFP consultants and political prisoners so as to set the peace talks between the GPH and the NDFP in motion.
KASTAN CPA-Abra calls on to the Filipino people to remain vigilant during the course of the peace process and expose those who want to derail the upcoming talks. It is the Filipino people who will benefit much from the success of the peace process.
Resume the peace process between the GPH and the NDFP!
Address the roots of armed conflict!
Struggle for just and lasting peace!