Global peace index: RP in bottom 20

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines is among 20 nations “least as peace” and is still “grappling with fetters to social and economic development of its citizens.”

In the fifth edition of the Global Peace Index (GPI), prepared by the Institute for Economics and Peace, the Philippines was ranked 136th, among the bottom 20 nations classified as “least at peace.”

The GPI ranks 153 countries by their peacefulness and seeks to identify and understand the factors that create and sustain peace.

The Philippines’ latest GPI tally was unchanged from the previous edition.

Malacañang said the government is renewing its commitment to resolve the decades-old conflict in the country.

“We have continued to work on two fronts to ensure that the country and our people can move forward with peace and order providing the means to empower our people to pursue productive activities,” presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said.

“We will remain steadfast on the path to peace. This administration views hostilities as an unacceptable condition; we will continue to be dissatisfied so long as we cannot achieve an honorable, just, and lasting peace for our people,” he added.

Lacierda pointed out negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) are continuing.

The government also restarted peace talks with the Communist Party of Philippines-National Democratic Front-New Peoples’ Army after the negotiations were stalled for several years, he said.

“The government peace panels, in cooperation with national authorities and our friends in the global community of nations, are engaged in talks characterized by honesty, dedication, and open-mindedness,” Lacierda said.

President Aquino acknowledged in his first State of the Nation Address that peace was a fundamental requirement for the development and prosperity of the country. –Aurea Calica (The Philippine Star)