Church people under Kaamoyo ti Kappia (Partner in Peace or KTK) in Ilocos Norte called anew for the reopening of peace talks after an encounter between a unit of the New People’s Army and Armed Forces of the Philippines in the province.

On February 6, the NPA encountered troops of the 50th IB in Sityo Dapulay, Poblacion, Nueva Era, Ilocos Norte. Even after the encounter ended, soldiers remained in the area, and additional troops were deployed to the nearby Barangay Uguis in the same town.

“Only through genuine dialogue and achieving justice can long-lasting peace be reached,” according to KTK.

KTK also called on the Commission on Human Rights and local governments to immediately conduct an investigation in the identified area. “The safety and welfare of civilians in the community need to be ensured, and human rights violations must be closely monitored and addressed,” according to KTK. KTK is aware of the military’s long record of covering up serious human rights violations — such as extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, torture and harassment of civilians — as “legitimate” military operations.

According to the group, the recent encounter belies the declaration of the province as “insurgency-free” first in March 2022, and again in November of the same year.

“This only shows that the Filipino people are experiencing widespread poverty. No province can be called insurgency-free as long as there is poverty and suffering among the people,” according to KTK.