By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Task Force Kasanag National Commander John Chiong held a press conference yesterday, calling for local government units in the Negros Island Region (NIR) to conduct peace talks with the New People’s Army (NPA).
“If the situation worsens, all of us will still be affected,” he said. “As a peace advocacy group, it is our role to ensure peace reigns again in our region.”
“We would like [the NPA] to know that we are willing to facilitate,” Chiong added.
He referred to the NPA Leonardo Panaligan Command claiming responsibility for the deadly July 21 ambush in Barangay Magsaysay, Guihulngan City as starting the “healing process.”
Chiong said it is “a pity” Filipinos are killing each other.
The Guihulngan City ambush resulted in the death of seven people, including the local police chief./WDJ