Esperon invites Gabby Concepcion and Richard Gutierrez as peace ambassadors

MANILA, Sept. 20 (PNA) - Movie stars Richard Gutierrez and Gabby Concepcion have been invited as the country's ambassadors for peace.

The invitation was extended by Presidential Peace Adviser Hermogenes C. Esperon Jr. when Concepcion and Gutierrez joined this morning's 'Run for Peace' participated in by some 4,000 joggers to celebrate the nationwide observance of peace month held every September.

Esperon ran side-by side with Concepcion and Gutierrez during the 10-kilometer fun-run from Quirino Grandstand in Manila to the Cultural Center in Pasay City and back.

Concepcion told Esperon he was open to the idea of being among the country's peace ambassadors as this popular movie idol cited the importance to have peace in the country.

On the other hand, Gutierrez also echoed the call for peace, saying it is high time that armed conflict ends so the country can move forward.

Esperon has been working doubly hard to have lasting and genuine peace in the country, particularly in Mindanao since becoming President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's peace adviser three months ago.

The Philippines has been facing a two-pronged insurgency problem - one by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the other by the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front - for almost four decades now.

The 'Run for Peace' started at 6 a.m. at the Quirino Grandstand where some 4,000 runners gathered.

This year's annual event was organized by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process and the Office of External Affairs of the Office of the President.