Hontiveros’ Holy Week prayer: Peace among Filipinos

“I pray for peace that peace reign in the heart of every Filipino that we learn to disagree with respect,” Hontiveros said in her official Twitter account. (Photo: Senator Risa Hontiveros/ Facebook)

MANILA–Senator Risa Hontiveros on Monday said she would pray for peace among Filipinos in the observance of Holy Week in the country.

“I pray for peace that peace reign in the heart of every Filipino that we learn to disagree with respect,” Hontiveros said in her official Twitter account.

Hontiveros also said that she would pray that the success of reopened peace talks between the government of the Philippines and the communist National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).

Peace talks were reopened in Noordwijk, The Netherlands last Monday (April 3).

“I also pray for the peace process and continue to hope for lasting peace in Mindanao and all over the country,” she added.

The government and the NDFP had agreed on an interim joint ceasefire.

Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella welcomed the agreement and expressed hope that the deal would avert further bloodshed on the ground.

To recall, hostilities between government forces and communist rebels flared up in February after both sides terminated their respective unilateral ceasefires.

On February 3, President Rodrigo Duterte called on government forces to prepare for an all-out offensive against the New People’s Army (NPA).

However, he later opened the door for the resumption of peace talks based on a set of conditions that should be first met by the rebels.