KIKO: ESPERON SABRE RATTLING STATEMENTS, UNNECESSARY, UNCALLED FOR
"We must beat their swords into ploughshares..." --- Kiko

Senate Majority Leader and Independent senator Kiko Pangilinan today criticized the statement made by Armed Forces Chief of Staff Hermogenes Esperon Jr. that his remaining months in office could be "bloody," citing the President's orders to end the communist insurgency problem before his term extension expires on May 9.

"We must beat their swords into ploughshares. We cannot solve the problem of insurgency if we continue to be on the war-path against the communist rebels what they should do is to concentrate on poverty alleviation and sustained economic activity coupled with aggressive peace initiatives with all warring factions to end the root causes of poverty, dissent and injustice." Kiko said.

Esperon vows to dismantle the 17 guerilla fronts in the first quarter of 2008 out of the 87 existing guerilla fronts. Militant groups are also wary of the counter-insurgency program of the government as they are targeting unarmed activists.

"Nakakabahala ang ganitong mga pananalita na galing pa mismo sa pinuno ng ating hukbong sandatahan. Dapat na maghinay-hinay siya dahil ang mga ganitong banta ang sibilyan ang parating nadadamay, dapat na mag-isip pa ng ibang opsyon ang ating pamahalaan para solusyunan ang problemang ito na mahigit na dalawang dekada na," Kiko ended.