Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Negotiating peace with the Philippine MILF
December 2010 Last updated at 00:39
By Kate McGeown BBC News, Mindanao
n a jungle in the southern Philippines, a training exercise is under way.
Men carrying AK47s and rocket-propelled grenades are marching in unison, following the instructions of a battle-hardened commander.
In their combat fatigues, they could easily be mistaken for government soldiers, except for a red badge on their left shoulder and the periodic cry of "Allahu Akbar!", the Arabic for "God is great!"
They are members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), a rebel group fighting for the rights of the Bangsamoro people - a Muslim community in a country that is more than 80% Catholic.
Moro rebels have been fighting against the government for nearly 40 years, in one of Asia's longest-running insurgencies. An estimated 120,000 people have been killed.
It is a conflict that has nearly been resolved several times, and a fragile ceasefire has been in place since 2003.
But despite repeated attempts from both sides, something always seems to prevent a lasting settlement.
In May, there was renewed hope that a solution might be reached. A popular new president, Benigno Aquino, had just been elected into office in Manila, and one of his main campaign pledges was to restart peace talks and bring an end to the violence.
But nearly six months on, nothing has happened, and the Bangsamoro people are angry.
We passed a rally near the city of Cotabato, with several thousand people waving placards and shouting: 'We want peace.'
"When there are no negotiations, there are hostilities - there is war," said Raby Angkal, one of the protest organisers.
Elusive deal
So what is the hold-up this time?
"I think the government should make the first move, not us," vice-chairman for political affairs, Ghadzali Jaafar, told us at his jungle camp.
In her office hundreds of miles away in Manila, the presidential adviser on the peace process, Teresita Deles, said the government was also ready - but there was just one problem.
"We have some concerns about Othman Abdul Razak," she said, confirming media speculation that the government had requested a new Malaysian facilitator for the talks, due to a belief that Mr Othman was not neutral.
On the surface, the inclusion or otherwise of one person in the talks process might seem like a relatively small obstacle - but as both sides know to their cost, if the details are not fully agreed by everyone, a deal could easily slip through their fingers.
In 1976, a peace agreement signed with another Islamic group, the MNLF, failed to stick, leading to the formation of the MILF.
In 1996 the government set up a semi-autonomous region, but that too failed to stop the fighting, because it did not address all the MILF's concerns or those of many local people.
n August 2008, after 11 years of negotiations, the government said it had finally agreed on the boundaries for a Muslim autonomous region - a key sticking point - and smiling officials from all sides met to sign a deal.
But local Christian groups complained they had not been fully consulted, and the Supreme Court stepped in and blocked the agreement.
Within weeks conflict had resumed, and by the end of the year an estimated 300,000 civilians had fled their homes. Two years later, many of them have still not gone back.
Hja Bidariya Kanakan and her family live with two other families in a wooden hut in Nunangan camp, several hours' drive away from her former home.
"I used to have a big house with air conditioning," she said. "Now life is awful."
But she said she would only contemplate going back when there was "no more war, and no bombs from planes".
Heart of discussions
What makes this conflict all the more frustrating for people like Hja Biariya is that the negotiators are obviously close to a deal.
The MILF is often described as an Islamic separatist group, but strictly speaking neither of these adjectives apply any longer.
The group is Islamic in that it is run by Muslims, but according to Ghadzali Jaafar, this is not a religious struggle but a fight to retain land and cultural identity.
And the MILF has also given up its demand for a separate state.
"We just want to govern ourselves and our homeland, and that government will still be under the republic of the Philippines. We can take the example of Hong Kong to China," Mr Jaafar said.
The government also knows it needs to make some serious concessions.
"Certainly it could mean some adjustments in territorial boundaries," said Secretary Deles. "It would mean adjustments in our legal system, financial system."
Both agree that the issue of the Bangsamoro ancestral domain, and what exactly should be included in an expanded autonomous region, is at the heart of the discussions.
And those close to the talks know there is now a vital window of opportunity.
A key reason for past failures is opposition from other Filipinos - Christians living in the affected areas, and people in the rest of the country who will mourn the loss of such ready access to the rich natural resources of western Mindanao.
A quick look at the votes in this year's presidential election clearly shows the depth of feeling in Mindanao's Christian areas.
Joseph Estrada, a former leader who led a campaign of all-out war against the MILF, won the most votes in every Christian province in Mindanao, even though he lost nationally to Mr Aquino by a huge margin.
"A peace agreement will not be popular in many parts of the Philippines," said Father Jun Mercado, a regional peace advocate. "I believe we can only have an agreement when the national leader enjoys a lot of public support."
And right now, President Aquino has that kind of support - something his unpopular predecessor Gloria Arroyo could only dream about.
All sides also know that, the longer they delay the talks, the angrier people will get - and the more chance there is that the bubbling frustration will spill over into bloodshed.
When asked whether he thought there could be a return to violence if the talks did not start soon, Ghadzali Jafaar thought carefully before saying: "It's a very dangerous situation."
For those who could be caught - yet again - in the crossfire, it could be a very dangerous situation indeed.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Moro peace advocates urge GRP-MILF talks resumption
Jun 29, '08 6:55 AM
for everyone
Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/
by Malu Cadelina Manar
KIDAPAWAN CITY — A group of Moro peace advocates in central Mindanao has urged the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to resume their stalled talks.
To drumbeat their calls, the Mindanao Alliance for Peace (MAP), a multi-sectoral group of peace advocates in Mindanao, is set to hold a mass rally in Cotabato City, around 9 a.m., on Saturday.
Bobby Benito, head of the Information Committee of the Center for Just Peace, one of the MAP convenors, said the delay in the resolution of the Mindanao conflict as a result of the impasse in the GRP-MILF talks is "sending a wrong signal" especially to the "grassroots" or the people in the countryside.
"We fear (that) Mindanao will face again more ravaging hostilities in which its people are the most and seriously affected," Benito said.
The conflict in Mindanao, he claimed, can only be resolved through a "negotiated political settlement."
"We the people in the grassroots of Mindanao desire a meaningful result of the peace process. It is the only way to put an end to centuries-old Mindanao problem," he stressed.
The peace talks between the government and the MILF started way back in July 1997.
Catholic priest Eliseo Mercado, OMI, of the Kusog Mindanao, also a group of peace advocates in central Mindanao, said that one of the highly contentious issues discussed before the GRP-MILF talks ended late last year was about the ancestral domain.
The component involved in the ancestral domain discourse, Mercado said, is the issue of governance.
"The crucial issues on the talk of governance shall touch on the establishment of the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity (BJE), its authority and the length of the transition and its relationship to the central government," he said.
Aside from the Muslims or the Bangsamoro, Mercado said that there are two other crucial stakeholders who also claim franchise over the "land" — the indigenous peoples and the Christian settlers, specifically in places and areas where they are "entrenched."
"Without a greater consensus among the stakeholders, the feasibility and the sustainability of any peace agreement will be in question. But consensus does not only involve the actual peoples in the areas but also a national consensus. While this is very ticklish to say the least, but for any peace agreement to fly, you need a national consensus," he explained.
for everyone
Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/
by Malu Cadelina Manar
KIDAPAWAN CITY — A group of Moro peace advocates in central Mindanao has urged the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to resume their stalled talks.
To drumbeat their calls, the Mindanao Alliance for Peace (MAP), a multi-sectoral group of peace advocates in Mindanao, is set to hold a mass rally in Cotabato City, around 9 a.m., on Saturday.
Bobby Benito, head of the Information Committee of the Center for Just Peace, one of the MAP convenors, said the delay in the resolution of the Mindanao conflict as a result of the impasse in the GRP-MILF talks is "sending a wrong signal" especially to the "grassroots" or the people in the countryside.
"We fear (that) Mindanao will face again more ravaging hostilities in which its people are the most and seriously affected," Benito said.
The conflict in Mindanao, he claimed, can only be resolved through a "negotiated political settlement."
"We the people in the grassroots of Mindanao desire a meaningful result of the peace process. It is the only way to put an end to centuries-old Mindanao problem," he stressed.
The peace talks between the government and the MILF started way back in July 1997.
Catholic priest Eliseo Mercado, OMI, of the Kusog Mindanao, also a group of peace advocates in central Mindanao, said that one of the highly contentious issues discussed before the GRP-MILF talks ended late last year was about the ancestral domain.
The component involved in the ancestral domain discourse, Mercado said, is the issue of governance.
"The crucial issues on the talk of governance shall touch on the establishment of the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity (BJE), its authority and the length of the transition and its relationship to the central government," he said.
Aside from the Muslims or the Bangsamoro, Mercado said that there are two other crucial stakeholders who also claim franchise over the "land" — the indigenous peoples and the Christian settlers, specifically in places and areas where they are "entrenched."
"Without a greater consensus among the stakeholders, the feasibility and the sustainability of any peace agreement will be in question. But consensus does not only involve the actual peoples in the areas but also a national consensus. While this is very ticklish to say the least, but for any peace agreement to fly, you need a national consensus," he explained.
Bangsamoros hold rallies in many parts of Mindanao to demand immediate resumption of GRP-MILF peace talks
Jun 29, '08 6:57 AM
for everyone
source: http://zamboangasouthwall.blogspot.com/
Thousands of Bangsamoros held simultaneous rallies in various parts of Mindanao on Saturday and called for immediate resumption of peace talks between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
Dubbed as "Mass Rally for Peace," they called the government to respect and sign with sincerity the previously agreed consensus points on ancestral domain and to cancel the August 11 Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao elections.
The rallyists led by the Mindanao Alliance for Peace (MAP) flocked in the main plazas of the cities of Cotabato, Tacurong, General Santos, Isabela, Basilan, Pagadian, and the municipalities of Jolo, Sulu, and Pikit in North Cotabato.
They criticized Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat for rejecting their application for a permit to hold a peace rally in the city.
Zamboanga was a former Muslim province and part of the Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo, but many of its original inhabitants were forced out by Christian settlers.
The rallyists also said government troops prevented about a thousand colleagues on board six trucks from going to General Santos City from North Cotabato.
Bobby Benito, MAP spokesman, said they also urged to maintain and sustain the ceasefire as a vehicle leading to ink the long awaited final and meaningful agreement between the MILF and the Philippine government.
During the rally in Cotabato City that was attended by representatives from the MNLF, indigenous peoples, and Bangsamoro women group, the alliance issued a manifesto calling the GRP and the MILF to immediately resume the peace negotiations.
The manifesto calls on both parties to honor the consensus points on ancestral domain that they have already agreed upon. They see the immediate resumption of the peace talks as the only way to stop the war that may break out once again.
Peace talks between the Philippine government and the MILF were stalled since last year over the issue of the ancestral domain, which the moro rebels have been demanding from the Arroyo regime.
The alliance for peace further calls on the government to defer the election in the ARMM, describing the upcoming regional polls in the autonomous region as a hindrance in the GRP-MILF peace talks.
"Clearly holding the ARMM elections is a sign that the government is not sincere it its peace negotiations with the MILF. We will all be the victims when war erupts," the group said.
"We call on every Bangsamoro people and on every peace-loving individual for that matter to unite with us and let our voices be heard and we want peace now for we have been suffering the war for so long."
"Finally, we support, respect and uphold the legitimate struggle of the Bangsamor people for freedom and the right to self determination," the group concluded. (HG)
for everyone
source: http://zamboangasouthwall.blogspot.com/
Thousands of Bangsamoros held simultaneous rallies in various parts of Mindanao on Saturday and called for immediate resumption of peace talks between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
Dubbed as "Mass Rally for Peace," they called the government to respect and sign with sincerity the previously agreed consensus points on ancestral domain and to cancel the August 11 Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao elections.
The rallyists led by the Mindanao Alliance for Peace (MAP) flocked in the main plazas of the cities of Cotabato, Tacurong, General Santos, Isabela, Basilan, Pagadian, and the municipalities of Jolo, Sulu, and Pikit in North Cotabato.
They criticized Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat for rejecting their application for a permit to hold a peace rally in the city.
Zamboanga was a former Muslim province and part of the Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo, but many of its original inhabitants were forced out by Christian settlers.
The rallyists also said government troops prevented about a thousand colleagues on board six trucks from going to General Santos City from North Cotabato.
Bobby Benito, MAP spokesman, said they also urged to maintain and sustain the ceasefire as a vehicle leading to ink the long awaited final and meaningful agreement between the MILF and the Philippine government.
During the rally in Cotabato City that was attended by representatives from the MNLF, indigenous peoples, and Bangsamoro women group, the alliance issued a manifesto calling the GRP and the MILF to immediately resume the peace negotiations.
The manifesto calls on both parties to honor the consensus points on ancestral domain that they have already agreed upon. They see the immediate resumption of the peace talks as the only way to stop the war that may break out once again.
Peace talks between the Philippine government and the MILF were stalled since last year over the issue of the ancestral domain, which the moro rebels have been demanding from the Arroyo regime.
The alliance for peace further calls on the government to defer the election in the ARMM, describing the upcoming regional polls in the autonomous region as a hindrance in the GRP-MILF peace talks.
"Clearly holding the ARMM elections is a sign that the government is not sincere it its peace negotiations with the MILF. We will all be the victims when war erupts," the group said.
"We call on every Bangsamoro people and on every peace-loving individual for that matter to unite with us and let our voices be heard and we want peace now for we have been suffering the war for so long."
"Finally, we support, respect and uphold the legitimate struggle of the Bangsamor people for freedom and the right to self determination," the group concluded. (HG)
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Transforming the Facilitation in the Mindanao Peace Process
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Saturday, November 20, 2010
Human rights group’s HQ inaugurated
November 19, 2010 - Nearly a year of hard work and sacrifice, Mindanao Human Rights Action Center (MinHRAC) has harvested the fruits of their labor and sacrifice. They have moved to a new office at Al-Burhan Mosque Compound, General Luna Street, Cotabato City, where a kanduli (thanksgiving) was conducted.
MinHRAC was launched in Cotabato City on October 31, 2008. It became a member of the Civilian Protection Component of the International Monitoring Team (IMT) on May 5, 2010.
The Center’s primary objectives are: “to foster respect for human rights, constitutional rights, and promote the rule of law in Mindanao as well as other parts in the Philippines; to monitor, expose and oppose human rights violations; to promote critical human rights awareness among the people through education, training, information, research and documentations; to promote cooperation and solidarity among regional, national, and international organizations active in the field of human rights.”
MinHRAC is a collaborative effort of Bangsamoro organizations such as the Bangsamoro Lawyers’ Network, Institute of Bangsamoro Studies, Bangsamoro Women Solidarity Forum, Inc., Kadtuntaya Foundation Inc., Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society, United Youth for Peace and Development, United Youth of the Philippines, Bangsamoro Center for Just Peace, Kangudan Development Center Inc., IPRC, Bangsamoro Center for Law and Policy and Al Ihsan Foundation.
Guests who were invited to the kanduli were warmly welcomed by Atty. Zainudin S. Malang. MinHRAC Executive Director, and assisted by the Board of Directors (BOD) chairman, Atty. Anwar Malang, and members of BOD, Mr. Rahib P. Payapat, Mr Sammy Maulana, Mr Guiamel Alim, Atty Paisal Abdul, Mr. Duma Mascud, Mr. Bobby Benito, Mr. Rahib Kudto, Ms. Noraida Abo, Atty. Fatima Kanakan, and Deputy Executive Director, Atty. Rasul Mitmug Jr.
Among the guests, who graced the occasion, were members of International Monitoring Team (IMT) from Malaysia, Japan and Brunei, GRP – MILF Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH).
Also presents Gen. Ernesto Aradanas, commander of the Army's 603rd Infantry Brigade, as well as MinHRAC’s partners, supporters, media and friends in humanitarian, human rights groups.
The inauguration coincided with this year’s celebration of Eid’l Adha (the day of Sacrifice).
MinHRAC was launched in Cotabato City on October 31, 2008. It became a member of the Civilian Protection Component of the International Monitoring Team (IMT) on May 5, 2010.
The Center’s primary objectives are: “to foster respect for human rights, constitutional rights, and promote the rule of law in Mindanao as well as other parts in the Philippines; to monitor, expose and oppose human rights violations; to promote critical human rights awareness among the people through education, training, information, research and documentations; to promote cooperation and solidarity among regional, national, and international organizations active in the field of human rights.”
MinHRAC is a collaborative effort of Bangsamoro organizations such as the Bangsamoro Lawyers’ Network, Institute of Bangsamoro Studies, Bangsamoro Women Solidarity Forum, Inc., Kadtuntaya Foundation Inc., Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society, United Youth for Peace and Development, United Youth of the Philippines, Bangsamoro Center for Just Peace, Kangudan Development Center Inc., IPRC, Bangsamoro Center for Law and Policy and Al Ihsan Foundation.
Guests who were invited to the kanduli were warmly welcomed by Atty. Zainudin S. Malang. MinHRAC Executive Director, and assisted by the Board of Directors (BOD) chairman, Atty. Anwar Malang, and members of BOD, Mr. Rahib P. Payapat, Mr Sammy Maulana, Mr Guiamel Alim, Atty Paisal Abdul, Mr. Duma Mascud, Mr. Bobby Benito, Mr. Rahib Kudto, Ms. Noraida Abo, Atty. Fatima Kanakan, and Deputy Executive Director, Atty. Rasul Mitmug Jr.
Among the guests, who graced the occasion, were members of International Monitoring Team (IMT) from Malaysia, Japan and Brunei, GRP – MILF Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH).
Also presents Gen. Ernesto Aradanas, commander of the Army's 603rd Infantry Brigade, as well as MinHRAC’s partners, supporters, media and friends in humanitarian, human rights groups.
The inauguration coincided with this year’s celebration of Eid’l Adha (the day of Sacrifice).
Monday, November 8, 2010
An Open Indignation Letter Addressed to Philippine President Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Aquino III
Mr. President, in your inaugural speech at the Quirino Grandstand on June 30, 2010, you announced before the public that you “will be sincere in dealing with all the peoples of Mindanao”; thus, for this reason you pledged yourself to “a peaceful and just settlement of conflict, inclusive of the interests of all – may they be Lumads, Bangsamoro or Christian”.
You also emphatically declared: “You (the people) are the boss so I cannot ignore your orders.” In Tagalog: “Kayo ang boss ko.”
These pronouncements renewed in us that spirit of optimism oozing with hope that a peaceful and just political settlement of the conflict in the Bangsamoro will finally be resolved under your watch.
At that moment, we thought that at last here was a Filipino president who meant serious business; a president who could empathize with the plight of the long-oppressed Bangsamoro people because he, too, experienced the trauma of state oppression and persecution; a president who, like many among our brethren, had lost his own father to the forces of evil that once governed this country.
Mr. President, we feasted on your words of promise like starving men marooned on a desert of despair.
Our spirits were further buoyed, thus, when you announced that the GRP Peace Panel negotiating with the MILF had been reconstituted with a new set of members under a law professor meticulously selected by you on the basis of their competence, knowledge, experience and sympathy for Mindanao.
And when you likewise announced that peace talks would immediately resume after Ramadhan, we went ballistic with joy. We were beginning to see the light at the end of the dark tunnel. The pervasive darkness of war and conflict that blighted our Moro homeland, at last, was about to be dissipated by the light of freedom and justice. Elusive peace seemed no longer elusive.
Or so we thought.
For, suddenly things have changed. In the 100 days that you’ve assumed office, the feeling of the people on the ground has progressively turned from hope to disenchantment to anger. For, like an automobile on reverse gear, instead of moving forward the quest for peace and justice, your government has begun to move backwards at a faster acceleration than what it promised to fulfill at the beginning of your administration.
You have closed the door to constitutional amendment that would have accommodated any final political compact agreement with the MILF, which, for your information in case you’ve not yet realized it, has already conceded to constitutional remedy to allow the restoration of peace in our troubled land. Hence, by the very pronouncement of your government shutting down the avenues to constitutional amendment even before the resumption of talks could begin, you have already dealt the death blow to any prospective peace agreement with the MILF by consigning it beforehand to the same fate as the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD) in 2008.
Not satisfied with that, you have created conditions which lead to the nullification of the gains of the peace process. Your Department of Foreign Affairs has issued new orders to foreign governments, institutions and NGOs, including those actively providing assistance to our poverty-stricken people and our refugees, to seek prior clearance and approval from your government before engaging the MILF in dialogues or launching humanitarian activities in the conflict-affected areas of Mindanao and Sulu.
You have also insisted that peace talks with the MILF should be in the Philippines, not in Malaysia or, for that matter, in any other neutral foreign venue as had been agreed upon by the MILF and the Philippine government in 2001.
Alas, Mr. President, now we are beginning to realize that when you mentioned in your speech before the joint Houses of Congress that the conflict in Mindanao is merely “a situation”, you really meant what you said. The hundreds of thousands of refugees dislocated and the thousands of lives lost every time war breaks out in Mindanao and Sulu are as trivial a “situation” to you as the bungled Manila hostage-taking incident.
This sinister move that intends to isolate the MILF from the international community and in the process control if not prevent the flow of humanitarian aid to the victims of war is an unconscionable act that makes you no different from your predecessors. It is sheer hambug on your part and your government to presume you can resolve and handle alone the Internally Displaced People (IDP) problem in our homeland without foreign humanitarian assistance. In case you have not read the papers, the World Food Program of the UN has just issued a public statement as posted in the Philippine Daily Inquirer dated October 12, 2010 that 250,000 people in Mindanao still displaced by war and natural disasters are starving and would need $26 million in food and other kinds of assistance. This assistance you cannot provide -nor were your predecessors able to – not only because of entrenched corruption in government but more significantly because in your word the Mindanao conflict is “a situation” which implies it is nothing to worry about. The truth is: the IDPs or the resolution of the conflict is not in the list of your national priorities.
And now you want the international community to stop its humanitarian activities in Mindanao and Sulu without your prior approval? Not only would this drive our people further into the deep bowels of poverty, misery and hopelessness, you are forcing them to abandon the ways of peace to redress legitimate grievances.
Which means, Mr. President, that you are rekindling the embers of the armed conflict whose flames had been reduced to a flicker by the peace negotiation and its promise of a just peace in our homeland.
Are the bottomless pockets of your so-called peace advisers, who, we know, have earned the infamous reputation for making fast bucks out of foreign aid assistance to the refugees in Mindanao and Sulu, more important to you than the welfare of the IDPs or the future of peace in Mindanao?
Lest you forget, Mr. President, you announced in Ramadhan 2010 that the immediate resumption of peace talks with the MILF shall commence after the holy month.
With great anticipation and eagerness, we waited for your words to come true. Then suddenly, the news of the arrest of Brother Edward Guerra, a senior member of the Central Committee of the MILF in charge of foreign affairs, who was arrested by agents of the CIDG-PNP at the Davao International Airport in September 22 to attend a UN conference on human rights in Geneva, hit us like a thunderbolt. We also learned from his family and lawyer that he was tortured while in maximum security detention at Fort Bonifacio. Brother Edward Guerra’s health is in a precarious state given his heart ailment, diabetes and hypertension.
Your late father, for reasons that need not be explained, would have created havoc in his grave if he were to learn that your government still uses torture on helpless political prisoners, especially on those afflicted by heart ailments.
The depression that we felt upon learning this morphed into extreme apprehension when news also brought to us the information that MILF members involved in peace monitoring were arrested by your military and police in Maguindanao.
We also learned that the arrest warrant for Brother Edward Guerra was issued by the court on September 1, 2010. This was well within the timeframe of your invitation, Mr. President, to the MILF to resume talks with your government!
What game of grand deception are you trying to play on us, Mr. President?
The reaction of your Chief Negotiator, Prof. Marvic Leonen, to the protest filed by the MILF on this matter is quite revealing. Leonen said that Brother Edward Guerra is not in the list of the MILF Peace Negotiating Panel. What he infers, therefore, is that his arrest and subsequent torture in the hands of his captors are justified.
Even then, the deafening silence of your Presidential Peace Adviser, Secretary Ging Deles, on this matter that is crucial to the fate of the negotiations, is, to say the least, strange. So strange that we wonder whether a presidential peace adviser does really exist in fact or just in the imagination of Ms. Deles.
At any rate, does this mean, Mr. President, that any member of the MILF from the rank and file who is not a member of the MILF Peace Negotiating Panel is an open prey? Following this argument, even Brother Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, the MILF Chairman who is not among the listed six members of the MILF Panel, can be arrested anytime by your state police and military!
The convoluted logic of your Chief Negotiator, Mr. President, deliberately leaves out the fact that the principal of the MILF Peace Negotiating Panel is the MILF Central Committee of which Brother Edward Guerra is a senior member, being chair of its Foreign Affairs Committee. Technically, in view of the peace talks being held in foreign venues, principally Malaysia, the negotiations are within the jurisdiction of the Foreign Affairs Committee he currently chairs.
For all intents and purposes, Mr. President, Bro. Edward Guerra is as much an important principal of the MILF Peace Negotiating Panel as MILF Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, the two vice-chairmen, and all the other members of the Central Committee of the MILF.
Mr. President, in case you still miss the dire implication of the arrests of Brother Edward Guerra and other MILF members similarly abducted by your state police and military, allow us to inform you now that this is tantamount to a declaration of a new war against the MILF and the Bangsamoro people.
It is in this context, Mr. President, that we hold you and your government responsible for any outbreak of hostilities in the Bangsamoro.
We are no longer afraid of war. The long-running conflict in our homeland has drained the last drop of fear from us. What is left are desperation and hopelessness; a permanent and pervasive feeling of insecurity under the Philippine state. And if indeed fear remains, it is the fear that peace will remain as elusive as ever.
We are afraid that in the event peace and justice are not realized in our time through peaceful negotiations, the argument that only though the barrel of the gun can such peace and justice be achieved will rule the day and the days yet to come.
Do not squander the remaining years of your presidency, Mr. President, and leave the future of peace in Mindanao and Sulu to be shipwrecked on the barren rocks of war and conflict. This is what your predecessors did.
You promised that you will be different from them.
So prove it, Mr. President, not merely by uttering empty rhetorical and meaningless statements but by sincerity emanating from the heart and animated by affirmative action.
Prove it, Mr. President, before you are overtaken by time.
Prove it, Mr. President that we, the people of the Bangsamoro and not only the people of Luzon and Visayas and the settlers in Mindanao, are also your “boss”.
If you think that we do not deserve to be in the same category as your constituents in Luzon, Visayas and the Christian-dominated areas in Mindanao, then leave us Moros alone in peace so we can forge our own future in freedom as a people and as a nation.
Signed:
MARAWI CITY CONFEDERATION OF SUPREME STUDENT GOVERNMENTS
COALITION OF MORO YOUTH MOVEMENTS
BANGSAMORO YOUTH VOLUNTEERS PROGRAM
JUST MOVEMENT-MINDANAO
YOUNG RANAW EDUCATORS INC.
Bangsamoro Youth Assembly (BMYA)
Anak Moro Organization
United Bangsamoro Women for Peace and Development
Bangsamoro Center for JustPeace (BCJP)
UNYPAD
UNYPHIL
BMYLF
October 15, 2010
You also emphatically declared: “You (the people) are the boss so I cannot ignore your orders.” In Tagalog: “Kayo ang boss ko.”
These pronouncements renewed in us that spirit of optimism oozing with hope that a peaceful and just political settlement of the conflict in the Bangsamoro will finally be resolved under your watch.
At that moment, we thought that at last here was a Filipino president who meant serious business; a president who could empathize with the plight of the long-oppressed Bangsamoro people because he, too, experienced the trauma of state oppression and persecution; a president who, like many among our brethren, had lost his own father to the forces of evil that once governed this country.
Mr. President, we feasted on your words of promise like starving men marooned on a desert of despair.
Our spirits were further buoyed, thus, when you announced that the GRP Peace Panel negotiating with the MILF had been reconstituted with a new set of members under a law professor meticulously selected by you on the basis of their competence, knowledge, experience and sympathy for Mindanao.
And when you likewise announced that peace talks would immediately resume after Ramadhan, we went ballistic with joy. We were beginning to see the light at the end of the dark tunnel. The pervasive darkness of war and conflict that blighted our Moro homeland, at last, was about to be dissipated by the light of freedom and justice. Elusive peace seemed no longer elusive.
Or so we thought.
For, suddenly things have changed. In the 100 days that you’ve assumed office, the feeling of the people on the ground has progressively turned from hope to disenchantment to anger. For, like an automobile on reverse gear, instead of moving forward the quest for peace and justice, your government has begun to move backwards at a faster acceleration than what it promised to fulfill at the beginning of your administration.
You have closed the door to constitutional amendment that would have accommodated any final political compact agreement with the MILF, which, for your information in case you’ve not yet realized it, has already conceded to constitutional remedy to allow the restoration of peace in our troubled land. Hence, by the very pronouncement of your government shutting down the avenues to constitutional amendment even before the resumption of talks could begin, you have already dealt the death blow to any prospective peace agreement with the MILF by consigning it beforehand to the same fate as the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD) in 2008.
Not satisfied with that, you have created conditions which lead to the nullification of the gains of the peace process. Your Department of Foreign Affairs has issued new orders to foreign governments, institutions and NGOs, including those actively providing assistance to our poverty-stricken people and our refugees, to seek prior clearance and approval from your government before engaging the MILF in dialogues or launching humanitarian activities in the conflict-affected areas of Mindanao and Sulu.
You have also insisted that peace talks with the MILF should be in the Philippines, not in Malaysia or, for that matter, in any other neutral foreign venue as had been agreed upon by the MILF and the Philippine government in 2001.
Alas, Mr. President, now we are beginning to realize that when you mentioned in your speech before the joint Houses of Congress that the conflict in Mindanao is merely “a situation”, you really meant what you said. The hundreds of thousands of refugees dislocated and the thousands of lives lost every time war breaks out in Mindanao and Sulu are as trivial a “situation” to you as the bungled Manila hostage-taking incident.
This sinister move that intends to isolate the MILF from the international community and in the process control if not prevent the flow of humanitarian aid to the victims of war is an unconscionable act that makes you no different from your predecessors. It is sheer hambug on your part and your government to presume you can resolve and handle alone the Internally Displaced People (IDP) problem in our homeland without foreign humanitarian assistance. In case you have not read the papers, the World Food Program of the UN has just issued a public statement as posted in the Philippine Daily Inquirer dated October 12, 2010 that 250,000 people in Mindanao still displaced by war and natural disasters are starving and would need $26 million in food and other kinds of assistance. This assistance you cannot provide -nor were your predecessors able to – not only because of entrenched corruption in government but more significantly because in your word the Mindanao conflict is “a situation” which implies it is nothing to worry about. The truth is: the IDPs or the resolution of the conflict is not in the list of your national priorities.
And now you want the international community to stop its humanitarian activities in Mindanao and Sulu without your prior approval? Not only would this drive our people further into the deep bowels of poverty, misery and hopelessness, you are forcing them to abandon the ways of peace to redress legitimate grievances.
Which means, Mr. President, that you are rekindling the embers of the armed conflict whose flames had been reduced to a flicker by the peace negotiation and its promise of a just peace in our homeland.
Are the bottomless pockets of your so-called peace advisers, who, we know, have earned the infamous reputation for making fast bucks out of foreign aid assistance to the refugees in Mindanao and Sulu, more important to you than the welfare of the IDPs or the future of peace in Mindanao?
Lest you forget, Mr. President, you announced in Ramadhan 2010 that the immediate resumption of peace talks with the MILF shall commence after the holy month.
With great anticipation and eagerness, we waited for your words to come true. Then suddenly, the news of the arrest of Brother Edward Guerra, a senior member of the Central Committee of the MILF in charge of foreign affairs, who was arrested by agents of the CIDG-PNP at the Davao International Airport in September 22 to attend a UN conference on human rights in Geneva, hit us like a thunderbolt. We also learned from his family and lawyer that he was tortured while in maximum security detention at Fort Bonifacio. Brother Edward Guerra’s health is in a precarious state given his heart ailment, diabetes and hypertension.
Your late father, for reasons that need not be explained, would have created havoc in his grave if he were to learn that your government still uses torture on helpless political prisoners, especially on those afflicted by heart ailments.
The depression that we felt upon learning this morphed into extreme apprehension when news also brought to us the information that MILF members involved in peace monitoring were arrested by your military and police in Maguindanao.
We also learned that the arrest warrant for Brother Edward Guerra was issued by the court on September 1, 2010. This was well within the timeframe of your invitation, Mr. President, to the MILF to resume talks with your government!
What game of grand deception are you trying to play on us, Mr. President?
The reaction of your Chief Negotiator, Prof. Marvic Leonen, to the protest filed by the MILF on this matter is quite revealing. Leonen said that Brother Edward Guerra is not in the list of the MILF Peace Negotiating Panel. What he infers, therefore, is that his arrest and subsequent torture in the hands of his captors are justified.
Even then, the deafening silence of your Presidential Peace Adviser, Secretary Ging Deles, on this matter that is crucial to the fate of the negotiations, is, to say the least, strange. So strange that we wonder whether a presidential peace adviser does really exist in fact or just in the imagination of Ms. Deles.
At any rate, does this mean, Mr. President, that any member of the MILF from the rank and file who is not a member of the MILF Peace Negotiating Panel is an open prey? Following this argument, even Brother Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, the MILF Chairman who is not among the listed six members of the MILF Panel, can be arrested anytime by your state police and military!
The convoluted logic of your Chief Negotiator, Mr. President, deliberately leaves out the fact that the principal of the MILF Peace Negotiating Panel is the MILF Central Committee of which Brother Edward Guerra is a senior member, being chair of its Foreign Affairs Committee. Technically, in view of the peace talks being held in foreign venues, principally Malaysia, the negotiations are within the jurisdiction of the Foreign Affairs Committee he currently chairs.
For all intents and purposes, Mr. President, Bro. Edward Guerra is as much an important principal of the MILF Peace Negotiating Panel as MILF Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, the two vice-chairmen, and all the other members of the Central Committee of the MILF.
Mr. President, in case you still miss the dire implication of the arrests of Brother Edward Guerra and other MILF members similarly abducted by your state police and military, allow us to inform you now that this is tantamount to a declaration of a new war against the MILF and the Bangsamoro people.
It is in this context, Mr. President, that we hold you and your government responsible for any outbreak of hostilities in the Bangsamoro.
We are no longer afraid of war. The long-running conflict in our homeland has drained the last drop of fear from us. What is left are desperation and hopelessness; a permanent and pervasive feeling of insecurity under the Philippine state. And if indeed fear remains, it is the fear that peace will remain as elusive as ever.
We are afraid that in the event peace and justice are not realized in our time through peaceful negotiations, the argument that only though the barrel of the gun can such peace and justice be achieved will rule the day and the days yet to come.
Do not squander the remaining years of your presidency, Mr. President, and leave the future of peace in Mindanao and Sulu to be shipwrecked on the barren rocks of war and conflict. This is what your predecessors did.
You promised that you will be different from them.
So prove it, Mr. President, not merely by uttering empty rhetorical and meaningless statements but by sincerity emanating from the heart and animated by affirmative action.
Prove it, Mr. President, before you are overtaken by time.
Prove it, Mr. President that we, the people of the Bangsamoro and not only the people of Luzon and Visayas and the settlers in Mindanao, are also your “boss”.
If you think that we do not deserve to be in the same category as your constituents in Luzon, Visayas and the Christian-dominated areas in Mindanao, then leave us Moros alone in peace so we can forge our own future in freedom as a people and as a nation.
Signed:
MARAWI CITY CONFEDERATION OF SUPREME STUDENT GOVERNMENTS
COALITION OF MORO YOUTH MOVEMENTS
BANGSAMORO YOUTH VOLUNTEERS PROGRAM
JUST MOVEMENT-MINDANAO
YOUNG RANAW EDUCATORS INC.
Bangsamoro Youth Assembly (BMYA)
Anak Moro Organization
United Bangsamoro Women for Peace and Development
Bangsamoro Center for JustPeace (BCJP)
UNYPAD
UNYPHIL
BMYLF
October 15, 2010
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Stop talking peace – Moro youth urges GRP, MILF
E-mail Print PDF
By Muhair Abdullah
November 7, 2010 - "There will be no future in a negotiation if one side is not sincere," thus commented a group of Moro youth who joined yesterday’s mass action in the Simuay junction in Sultan Kudarat town in Maguindanao province.
“The Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) must stop the peace talks and re-evaluate their commitment and sincerity to the peace process because nothing happened so far,” said Datuan Magon, a senior officer of the United Youth for Peace and Development (UNYPAD).
“We taught the government already learned lessons from the Arroyo experience in dealing with the serious political and sovereignty-based problem in Mindanao,” Magon, who was also part of crafting of the Philippine Implementing Rules and Regulations on the Anti-Torture Law, added.
Magon claimed the so-called “Mindanao situation” has worsened as illegal arrests and killings have become more and more raging resulting more sufferings in the ground.
“Where will P-Noy (President Benigno Aquino III) be bringing the nation?” asked Magon.
Another group of Moro youth expressed worry that even the youth now are no longer safe because the police and the military are targeting minors for illegal arrest in exchange of reward money.
“Human rights defenders are also receiving death threats,” Magon said further.
The Moro youth group also warned the Philippine government that if the solution to the political problem in Mindanao will not be resolved today, they are more than willing to continue the struggle until the end.
The said group said they joined the public and peaceful assemblies as a manifestation of their willingness to become part of democratic and peaceful solution to the Mindanao problem.
“Should the situation force us to take any other course, at least we have exhausted all peaceful means,” said the group.
Attended by thousands of Moro people from all walks of life, the Bangsamoro Mass Action for Justice, called, among other things, for the immediate release of civilians and MILF leaders who have been victims of illegal arrests.
Raby Angkal, the spokesperson of the group claimed that “the Bangsamoro people have been dismayed and seriously disappointed over President Aquino’s lack of sincerity and political will to resolve the Bangsamoro question through negotiated political settlement.”
Angkal said “no sign of any attempt to continue the talks can be heard; instead, preparation of war by the GRP against the MILF is now very visible, numbers of soldiers are increasing day by day and MILF leaders and members are being indiscriminately arrested including civilians.”
The mass action was spearheaded by independent and non-partisan network of people’s organizations, nongovernment organizations and such other groups as business, religious and professionals as well as concerned individuals from Cotabato City and nearby provinces.
By Muhair Abdullah
November 7, 2010 - "There will be no future in a negotiation if one side is not sincere," thus commented a group of Moro youth who joined yesterday’s mass action in the Simuay junction in Sultan Kudarat town in Maguindanao province.
“The Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) must stop the peace talks and re-evaluate their commitment and sincerity to the peace process because nothing happened so far,” said Datuan Magon, a senior officer of the United Youth for Peace and Development (UNYPAD).
“We taught the government already learned lessons from the Arroyo experience in dealing with the serious political and sovereignty-based problem in Mindanao,” Magon, who was also part of crafting of the Philippine Implementing Rules and Regulations on the Anti-Torture Law, added.
Magon claimed the so-called “Mindanao situation” has worsened as illegal arrests and killings have become more and more raging resulting more sufferings in the ground.
“Where will P-Noy (President Benigno Aquino III) be bringing the nation?” asked Magon.
Another group of Moro youth expressed worry that even the youth now are no longer safe because the police and the military are targeting minors for illegal arrest in exchange of reward money.
“Human rights defenders are also receiving death threats,” Magon said further.
The Moro youth group also warned the Philippine government that if the solution to the political problem in Mindanao will not be resolved today, they are more than willing to continue the struggle until the end.
The said group said they joined the public and peaceful assemblies as a manifestation of their willingness to become part of democratic and peaceful solution to the Mindanao problem.
“Should the situation force us to take any other course, at least we have exhausted all peaceful means,” said the group.
Attended by thousands of Moro people from all walks of life, the Bangsamoro Mass Action for Justice, called, among other things, for the immediate release of civilians and MILF leaders who have been victims of illegal arrests.
Raby Angkal, the spokesperson of the group claimed that “the Bangsamoro people have been dismayed and seriously disappointed over President Aquino’s lack of sincerity and political will to resolve the Bangsamoro question through negotiated political settlement.”
Angkal said “no sign of any attempt to continue the talks can be heard; instead, preparation of war by the GRP against the MILF is now very visible, numbers of soldiers are increasing day by day and MILF leaders and members are being indiscriminately arrested including civilians.”
The mass action was spearheaded by independent and non-partisan network of people’s organizations, nongovernment organizations and such other groups as business, religious and professionals as well as concerned individuals from Cotabato City and nearby provinces.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Press Release; Bangsamoro Mass Action for Justice!
This summary is not available. Please
click here to view the post.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
MEDIA ADVISORY
For Immediate Release
November 3, 2010
Contact:
RABY ANGKAL – Spokesman
Mobile: 09269843636 ………………………………………………………………………………
Media Advisory
“Bangsamoro Mass Action for Justice”
An independent and Non Partisan Network of PO’s, NGO’s, Business, Religious Professionals and Individuals from Cotabato City and nearby municipalities join together to fight for JUSTICE and HUMAN RIGHTS in Mindanao
WHAT: Mass Rally
WHO: Bangsamoro Action for Justice and Peace
WHEN: Saturday, November 6, 2010 at 10; 00 to 12; 00 O’clock in the morning
WHERE: Crossing Simuay, Sultan Kudarat Maguindanao
COME ONE!!!!COME ALL
November 3, 2010
Contact:
RABY ANGKAL – Spokesman
Mobile: 09269843636 ………………………………………………………………………………
Media Advisory
“Bangsamoro Mass Action for Justice”
An independent and Non Partisan Network of PO’s, NGO’s, Business, Religious Professionals and Individuals from Cotabato City and nearby municipalities join together to fight for JUSTICE and HUMAN RIGHTS in Mindanao
WHAT: Mass Rally
WHO: Bangsamoro Action for Justice and Peace
WHEN: Saturday, November 6, 2010 at 10; 00 to 12; 00 O’clock in the morning
WHERE: Crossing Simuay, Sultan Kudarat Maguindanao
COME ONE!!!!COME ALL
Thursday, October 21, 2010
MONITORING MAGUINDANAO From Ampatuan to Mangudadatu (3): Starting from Zero
By Carolyn O. Arguillas | Thursday| October 21, 2010 | Filed under: Corruption Watch, Governance, Leadership, Monitoring Maguindanao
BULUAN, Maguindanao (MindaNews/10 October) – He would have delivered his State of the Province Address (SOPA) in early August. In fact, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (provincial legislature) had been waiting for him to spell out his legislative agenda.
But the governor was often in Manila, a complaint that continues to this day.
Governor Esmael Mangudadatu said he goes to Manila for the hearings on the November 23 massacre “because I am the main complainant. I have to be in Manila).
He said he also goes to Manila to follow up on some concerns with the Department of Budget and that he spends two to three days for a trip to Manila or returns on the same day.
He said he can’t be expected to be in office all the time or up to midnight. “You can’t please everybody,” he said in Pilipino.
“Hindi ako si Superman” (I am not Superman), he added.
But Mangudadatu had another reason for rescheduling his SOPA. “I’ll do that after 100 days because there should be something to show for by then.”
As it turned out, Mangudadatu, a first-time governor, became the only governor in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao to have delivered a hundred days after report.
When he delivered his SOPA on October 10, he had nine dump trucks lined up on the left side of the municipal grounds, filled with oil palm seedlings and a bit nearer the stage, the centerpiece of his administration’s first 100 days: the P15-million mobile hospital.
On August 20, the governor told MindaNews that they purchased P10 million worth of oil palm seedlings from Makilala in North Cotabato, for distribution in Maguindanao, to address the livelihood aspect that they promised their constituents.
He said oil palm was a viable crop in his province and would bring huge incomes for the farmers, citing his own family’s experience. The Mangudadatus own vast tracts of land planted to oil palm. “On my own, I have a seven year – old 370 hectare plantation that earns millions of pesos,” he said.
He said he earns P8,000 to P12,000 per hectare per harvest twice a month.
In his SOPA, Mangudadatu said P10 million was spent on the purchase of 40,000 oil palm seedlings and 120,000 rubber tree seedling for distribution to the province’s 36 towns.
Whether or not the beneficiaries will be from the 36 towns or the five Mangudadatu-controlled towns only, or his own plantation, as critics expect would happen, no one can say for sure, for now.
The mechanisms for transparency and even for basic governance are only starting to be set up. For the Mangudadatu-Mastura team, it’s like starting from zero.
But Bobby Benito, executive director of the Bangsamoro Center for Justice and Peace (BCJP) said he is “hopeful the leadership of Toto Mangudadatu and Dustin Mastura will make a difference and bring Maguindanaons a participative and transparent governance.”
“In fact, Transparent Accountable and Participative Governance is no. 2 of his eight-point agenda where CSOs are strengthened through local special bodies,” Benito said, adding a performance billboard and Civil Society Organization (CSO) Desk are also being established.
“For the first time in Maguindanao, Budget Tracking by an NGO is now allowed, where local CSO partners will monitor budget preparation, budget authorization, budget review, budget execution and budget accountability,” Benito said, adding this is a project of the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society (CBCS) in partnership with Balay Mindanaw, The Asia Foundation and USAid.
The project is expected to start soon.
CBCS convenor Guiamel Alim cites as “improvements” of the Mangudadatu administration, the “NGO participation in the provincial special bodies, openness to consultations and the mobile hospital.”
In his SOPA, Mangudadatu said that in response to calls for transparency, the province has entered into a memorandum of agreement with the Patikai Developer, to set up the province’s official website. He did not, however, say when the website would be available.
“We will also update our Socio-Economic Profile. We will also issue a Provincial Publication/Newsletter so we can monitor the progress of our province. We will also set up Performance Billboards to let the people know about our programs.”
He said the province conducted a CSO Orientation and Workshop on September 24 to 25 at the Palm Pavilion in Barangay Calean, Tacurong City, to ensure partnerships in provincial programs and representation as well in governance.
Among those Mangudadatu set up through Executive Orders are bodies that he said were not activated during the time of the past administration, referring to the Ampatuans: the Provincial Development Council (EO 001); Provincial Peace and Order Council (EO2); EO 3 or the Maguindanao Task Force Reconciliation and Unification to deal with rido (family or clan feuds); Provincial Disaster (Response) Coordinating Council (EO 4); Local School Board (EO 6); Local Health Board (EO 7); Provincial Tax Code Committee (EO 8).
The Provincial Reconciliation and Unification Council was launched July 20 in Parang, Maguindanao to settle community conflicts and ridos.
A joint meeting of the Provincial Development Council and Provincial Peace and Order Council was held on August 5 at Genalin’s Forest Resort and Catering Services in Tacurong City.
On August 10, Mangudadatu reactivated the Provincial Disaster Response Coordinating Council through EO 4 at the BBGM Restaurant in Buluan.
On August 15, Mangudadatu met with the heads and staff of the different departments through a consultative meeting on August 15 also at the BBGM Restaurant.
On August 17 and 18, the province conducted a Local Governance Performance Management System at the Genalin Forest Garden Resort in Tacurong City.
Mangudadatu activated the Local School Board on September 7 at the BBGM Restaurant in Buluan. The board will serve as an advisory committee to the Sanggunian on education matters.
The next day, it was the turn of the Local Health Board at the same venue.
The Genalin Resort, named after his slain wife, and BBGM conference venues are, incidentally, owned by the Mangudadatu family.
In August, when Mangudadatu was asked about criticisms that the province had been holding conferences in their resort in Tacurong City, he told MindaNews, “wala naman pwedeng pag- meetingan dito (Buluan).” (There is no other meeting place here).
He said Tacurong City (in Sultan Kudarat province), is just near. “We can meet here but it will be too crowded. And if we meet here, we can’t really meet properly because look at how many hundreds of people come here,” he said in Pilipino.
But there is a conference venue in Buluan, BBGM Restaurant, MindaNews later learned from “Ulat sa Bayan,” a publication on the summary of his 100-day accomplishments.
BBGM is also owned by the Mangudadatus. “It’s my mother’s,” the governor told MindaNews by telephone on October 16.
RA 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees provides that public officials “shall not dispense or extend undue favors on account of their office to their relatives whether by consanguinity or affinity.”
Mangudadatu said BBGM restaurant is the only venue for meetings in Buluan. “Wala nang iba.” (There’s nothing else).
He said his mother’s restaurant has been there for long and if he can’t hold meetings in the restaurant or the resort because these are owned by the Mangudadatus, “where will we hold our meetings?”
“All we want to do is to serve the public,” the governor said.
BULUAN, Maguindanao (MindaNews/10 October) – He would have delivered his State of the Province Address (SOPA) in early August. In fact, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (provincial legislature) had been waiting for him to spell out his legislative agenda.
But the governor was often in Manila, a complaint that continues to this day.
Governor Esmael Mangudadatu said he goes to Manila for the hearings on the November 23 massacre “because I am the main complainant. I have to be in Manila).
He said he also goes to Manila to follow up on some concerns with the Department of Budget and that he spends two to three days for a trip to Manila or returns on the same day.
He said he can’t be expected to be in office all the time or up to midnight. “You can’t please everybody,” he said in Pilipino.
“Hindi ako si Superman” (I am not Superman), he added.
But Mangudadatu had another reason for rescheduling his SOPA. “I’ll do that after 100 days because there should be something to show for by then.”
As it turned out, Mangudadatu, a first-time governor, became the only governor in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao to have delivered a hundred days after report.
When he delivered his SOPA on October 10, he had nine dump trucks lined up on the left side of the municipal grounds, filled with oil palm seedlings and a bit nearer the stage, the centerpiece of his administration’s first 100 days: the P15-million mobile hospital.
On August 20, the governor told MindaNews that they purchased P10 million worth of oil palm seedlings from Makilala in North Cotabato, for distribution in Maguindanao, to address the livelihood aspect that they promised their constituents.
He said oil palm was a viable crop in his province and would bring huge incomes for the farmers, citing his own family’s experience. The Mangudadatus own vast tracts of land planted to oil palm. “On my own, I have a seven year – old 370 hectare plantation that earns millions of pesos,” he said.
He said he earns P8,000 to P12,000 per hectare per harvest twice a month.
In his SOPA, Mangudadatu said P10 million was spent on the purchase of 40,000 oil palm seedlings and 120,000 rubber tree seedling for distribution to the province’s 36 towns.
Whether or not the beneficiaries will be from the 36 towns or the five Mangudadatu-controlled towns only, or his own plantation, as critics expect would happen, no one can say for sure, for now.
The mechanisms for transparency and even for basic governance are only starting to be set up. For the Mangudadatu-Mastura team, it’s like starting from zero.
But Bobby Benito, executive director of the Bangsamoro Center for Justice and Peace (BCJP) said he is “hopeful the leadership of Toto Mangudadatu and Dustin Mastura will make a difference and bring Maguindanaons a participative and transparent governance.”
“In fact, Transparent Accountable and Participative Governance is no. 2 of his eight-point agenda where CSOs are strengthened through local special bodies,” Benito said, adding a performance billboard and Civil Society Organization (CSO) Desk are also being established.
“For the first time in Maguindanao, Budget Tracking by an NGO is now allowed, where local CSO partners will monitor budget preparation, budget authorization, budget review, budget execution and budget accountability,” Benito said, adding this is a project of the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society (CBCS) in partnership with Balay Mindanaw, The Asia Foundation and USAid.
The project is expected to start soon.
CBCS convenor Guiamel Alim cites as “improvements” of the Mangudadatu administration, the “NGO participation in the provincial special bodies, openness to consultations and the mobile hospital.”
In his SOPA, Mangudadatu said that in response to calls for transparency, the province has entered into a memorandum of agreement with the Patikai Developer, to set up the province’s official website. He did not, however, say when the website would be available.
“We will also update our Socio-Economic Profile. We will also issue a Provincial Publication/Newsletter so we can monitor the progress of our province. We will also set up Performance Billboards to let the people know about our programs.”
He said the province conducted a CSO Orientation and Workshop on September 24 to 25 at the Palm Pavilion in Barangay Calean, Tacurong City, to ensure partnerships in provincial programs and representation as well in governance.
Among those Mangudadatu set up through Executive Orders are bodies that he said were not activated during the time of the past administration, referring to the Ampatuans: the Provincial Development Council (EO 001); Provincial Peace and Order Council (EO2); EO 3 or the Maguindanao Task Force Reconciliation and Unification to deal with rido (family or clan feuds); Provincial Disaster (Response) Coordinating Council (EO 4); Local School Board (EO 6); Local Health Board (EO 7); Provincial Tax Code Committee (EO 8).
The Provincial Reconciliation and Unification Council was launched July 20 in Parang, Maguindanao to settle community conflicts and ridos.
A joint meeting of the Provincial Development Council and Provincial Peace and Order Council was held on August 5 at Genalin’s Forest Resort and Catering Services in Tacurong City.
On August 10, Mangudadatu reactivated the Provincial Disaster Response Coordinating Council through EO 4 at the BBGM Restaurant in Buluan.
On August 15, Mangudadatu met with the heads and staff of the different departments through a consultative meeting on August 15 also at the BBGM Restaurant.
On August 17 and 18, the province conducted a Local Governance Performance Management System at the Genalin Forest Garden Resort in Tacurong City.
Mangudadatu activated the Local School Board on September 7 at the BBGM Restaurant in Buluan. The board will serve as an advisory committee to the Sanggunian on education matters.
The next day, it was the turn of the Local Health Board at the same venue.
The Genalin Resort, named after his slain wife, and BBGM conference venues are, incidentally, owned by the Mangudadatu family.
In August, when Mangudadatu was asked about criticisms that the province had been holding conferences in their resort in Tacurong City, he told MindaNews, “wala naman pwedeng pag- meetingan dito (Buluan).” (There is no other meeting place here).
He said Tacurong City (in Sultan Kudarat province), is just near. “We can meet here but it will be too crowded. And if we meet here, we can’t really meet properly because look at how many hundreds of people come here,” he said in Pilipino.
But there is a conference venue in Buluan, BBGM Restaurant, MindaNews later learned from “Ulat sa Bayan,” a publication on the summary of his 100-day accomplishments.
BBGM is also owned by the Mangudadatus. “It’s my mother’s,” the governor told MindaNews by telephone on October 16.
RA 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees provides that public officials “shall not dispense or extend undue favors on account of their office to their relatives whether by consanguinity or affinity.”
Mangudadatu said BBGM restaurant is the only venue for meetings in Buluan. “Wala nang iba.” (There’s nothing else).
He said his mother’s restaurant has been there for long and if he can’t hold meetings in the restaurant or the resort because these are owned by the Mangudadatus, “where will we hold our meetings?”
“All we want to do is to serve the public,” the governor said.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Mangudadatu rejects revenge, seeks gun-less society
Date Published: April 11, 2010
By ABDULBASIT BENITO
Bangsamoro Center for JustPeace in the Philippines Inc.
BULUAN, Maguindanao. —If he wins, he will turn Maguindanao into a gun-less society.
Buluan Vice Mayor Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu promised this during the Gubernatorial Candidates Forum and Dialogue held on April 6, the first of a series of dialogues between candidates and civil society organizations in Maguindanao. Mangudadatu was the first candidate invited to the dialogue.
He added that he will not seek revenge for the murder of his wife and relatives who were among the 57 people killed on Nov. 23 as they headed for Shariff Aguak to file the certificate of candidacy on Mangudadatu’s behalf. Also killed in that incident were about 30 journalists who joined the convoy.
The carnage was blamed on the leaders of the Ampatuan clan who were subsequently arrested and are now facing charges.
Explaining why he will not seek revenge, Mangudadatu said, “By being martyrs… (their death) will bring (about) great change in Maguindanao.” He said the death of the 57 people would be worthless if he uses violence to avenge them.
On his first 100 days in office should he get elected, Mangudadatu said he will take necessary steps to regulate firearms in the province. According to the Philippine National Police, there are over a million unlicensed firearms in the country. About 15,000 firearms are reportedly owned by insurgent groups in Mindanao.
Firearms in Mindanao are said to come from military and police arsenals, either stolen or declared as lost during armed encounters. There are also unlicensed gun manufacturers in Western Mindanao, gunrunners who sell to local bandits in the southern part, rebels who manufacture assault rifles and rifle-propelled grenades, and illegal foreign shipments.
The vice mayor also said he is also willing to provide for an amnesty program for private armed groups. Partisan Armed Groups or Private Armed Groups (PAGs) are known to contribute to the proliferation of unlicensed firearms in the country.
he said that once elected he will be focusing on good governance, poverty alleviation, infrastructure, enforcement of the rule of law, improved delivery of basic services, and reconciliation.
Describing his manner of governance, Mangudadatu said he will make sure that all stakeholders, especially indigenous peoples, Christians, women, and the youth, will have a voice in his administration.
For the next round of the dialogue series, CSOs will be inviting gubernatorial candidates Datu Midpantao Midtimbang and Datu Ombra Sinsuat. The series is led by the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society (CBCS), a network of Moro nongovernment organizations, people’s organizations, and cooperatives.
“We will talk as brothers and sisters, as Bangsamoros with a common cause,” said Hadji Morsed Mascud, executive director of the Al Ihsan Foundation Inc.
The dialogues will be aired over the radio to enable as many people as possible to hear the candidates, he added.
By ABDULBASIT BENITO
Bangsamoro Center for JustPeace in the Philippines Inc.
BULUAN, Maguindanao. —If he wins, he will turn Maguindanao into a gun-less society.
Buluan Vice Mayor Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu promised this during the Gubernatorial Candidates Forum and Dialogue held on April 6, the first of a series of dialogues between candidates and civil society organizations in Maguindanao. Mangudadatu was the first candidate invited to the dialogue.
He added that he will not seek revenge for the murder of his wife and relatives who were among the 57 people killed on Nov. 23 as they headed for Shariff Aguak to file the certificate of candidacy on Mangudadatu’s behalf. Also killed in that incident were about 30 journalists who joined the convoy.
The carnage was blamed on the leaders of the Ampatuan clan who were subsequently arrested and are now facing charges.
Explaining why he will not seek revenge, Mangudadatu said, “By being martyrs… (their death) will bring (about) great change in Maguindanao.” He said the death of the 57 people would be worthless if he uses violence to avenge them.
On his first 100 days in office should he get elected, Mangudadatu said he will take necessary steps to regulate firearms in the province. According to the Philippine National Police, there are over a million unlicensed firearms in the country. About 15,000 firearms are reportedly owned by insurgent groups in Mindanao.
Firearms in Mindanao are said to come from military and police arsenals, either stolen or declared as lost during armed encounters. There are also unlicensed gun manufacturers in Western Mindanao, gunrunners who sell to local bandits in the southern part, rebels who manufacture assault rifles and rifle-propelled grenades, and illegal foreign shipments.
The vice mayor also said he is also willing to provide for an amnesty program for private armed groups. Partisan Armed Groups or Private Armed Groups (PAGs) are known to contribute to the proliferation of unlicensed firearms in the country.
he said that once elected he will be focusing on good governance, poverty alleviation, infrastructure, enforcement of the rule of law, improved delivery of basic services, and reconciliation.
Describing his manner of governance, Mangudadatu said he will make sure that all stakeholders, especially indigenous peoples, Christians, women, and the youth, will have a voice in his administration.
For the next round of the dialogue series, CSOs will be inviting gubernatorial candidates Datu Midpantao Midtimbang and Datu Ombra Sinsuat. The series is led by the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society (CBCS), a network of Moro nongovernment organizations, people’s organizations, and cooperatives.
“We will talk as brothers and sisters, as Bangsamoros with a common cause,” said Hadji Morsed Mascud, executive director of the Al Ihsan Foundation Inc.
The dialogues will be aired over the radio to enable as many people as possible to hear the candidates, he added.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Advocates Renew calls for Mindanao peace
This summary is not available. Please
click here to view the post.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Palace to name new panel chair in peace talks with MILF
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Friday, June 18, 2010
Marawi demonstrators denounce Israel attack on flotilla
By Ryan Rosauro
Inquirer Mindanao First
MARAWI CITY, Philippines—Some 500 Muslims burned the Israeli flag during a demonstration here Saturday morning to denounce the May 31 raid by Israeli Defense Forces on a humanitarian aid flotilla bound for Gaza in which nine people were killed.
Most of the protesters were youth and students carrying red, white and blue flags and streamers with messages such as “justice to the Palestinian people” during protest, which was held at Plaza Cabili and dubbed “Bangsamoro Action Against Israeli Terrorism.”
Abul Alibasa of the Ranaw Youth for Peace and Sustainable Development said they wanted “to register and add our voice to the mounting calls for Israeli accountability” for the flotilla raid and “its stranglehold of the Palestinians in general.”
The Israeli military claimed the flotilla was carrying Hamas terrorists although it was later found that the people aboard the boats were peace activists and aid workers.
The raid became a global issue especially on the question of whether the tiny Jewish state has the right to stage attacks in international waters.
On Saturday, another humanitarian aid flotilla was expected to arrive in Gaza, although Israeli authorities have warned that it would be diverted to another port and the food supplies would be transported to Gaza on trucks. .
“If Israel wants respect, it must also respect the basic rights of other people,” said Alibasa.
Moro Islamic Liberation Front internal affairs chief Abdul Azis Mimbantas said in a message read on his behalf that the flotilla raid was a “gruesome violation of human rights perpetrated in cold blood."
Mimbantas said such action “threatened the existence of humanitarian programs around the world.”
“We join the clamor of our Muslim brothers in Gaza and affirm our unity and solidarity with the international community in condemning the brutal and heart-rending incident,” he added.
Mimbantas also issued an appeal “to all paragons of justice, especially the advocates of human rights… to bring the perpetrators to justice and work on the immediate lifting of the equally inhuman siege in Gaza.”
“Imposing a food blockade against any group of people—regardless of religious affiliations and irrespective of political convictions—is worse because it violates the law of God and of man,” said Rahib Kudto, national president of the United Youth for Peace and Development.
“The barbarity of harming those who help a starving population such as the people of Gaza is beyond the power of words to describe,” Kudto added.
Bobby Benito, executive director of the Bangsamoro Center for Just Peace said the Israeli attack was “an act of brutal state terrorism."
“Israel, like any other state, has the right to defend itself and its territories, but this was an outrageous use of lethal force to defend an outrageous and lethal policy, that is, its blockade of Gaza, where two-thirds of families don't know where they'll find their next meal,” he said.
Benito urged the Moros and peace-building communities to “make this dark moment a turning point (to) arise with an unshakable call for justice, and an unbreakable dream of peace.”
Inquirer Mindanao First
MARAWI CITY, Philippines—Some 500 Muslims burned the Israeli flag during a demonstration here Saturday morning to denounce the May 31 raid by Israeli Defense Forces on a humanitarian aid flotilla bound for Gaza in which nine people were killed.
Most of the protesters were youth and students carrying red, white and blue flags and streamers with messages such as “justice to the Palestinian people” during protest, which was held at Plaza Cabili and dubbed “Bangsamoro Action Against Israeli Terrorism.”
Abul Alibasa of the Ranaw Youth for Peace and Sustainable Development said they wanted “to register and add our voice to the mounting calls for Israeli accountability” for the flotilla raid and “its stranglehold of the Palestinians in general.”
The Israeli military claimed the flotilla was carrying Hamas terrorists although it was later found that the people aboard the boats were peace activists and aid workers.
The raid became a global issue especially on the question of whether the tiny Jewish state has the right to stage attacks in international waters.
On Saturday, another humanitarian aid flotilla was expected to arrive in Gaza, although Israeli authorities have warned that it would be diverted to another port and the food supplies would be transported to Gaza on trucks. .
“If Israel wants respect, it must also respect the basic rights of other people,” said Alibasa.
Moro Islamic Liberation Front internal affairs chief Abdul Azis Mimbantas said in a message read on his behalf that the flotilla raid was a “gruesome violation of human rights perpetrated in cold blood."
Mimbantas said such action “threatened the existence of humanitarian programs around the world.”
“We join the clamor of our Muslim brothers in Gaza and affirm our unity and solidarity with the international community in condemning the brutal and heart-rending incident,” he added.
Mimbantas also issued an appeal “to all paragons of justice, especially the advocates of human rights… to bring the perpetrators to justice and work on the immediate lifting of the equally inhuman siege in Gaza.”
“Imposing a food blockade against any group of people—regardless of religious affiliations and irrespective of political convictions—is worse because it violates the law of God and of man,” said Rahib Kudto, national president of the United Youth for Peace and Development.
“The barbarity of harming those who help a starving population such as the people of Gaza is beyond the power of words to describe,” Kudto added.
Bobby Benito, executive director of the Bangsamoro Center for Just Peace said the Israeli attack was “an act of brutal state terrorism."
“Israel, like any other state, has the right to defend itself and its territories, but this was an outrageous use of lethal force to defend an outrageous and lethal policy, that is, its blockade of Gaza, where two-thirds of families don't know where they'll find their next meal,” he said.
Benito urged the Moros and peace-building communities to “make this dark moment a turning point (to) arise with an unshakable call for justice, and an unbreakable dream of peace.”
Marawi demonstrators denounce Israel attack on flotilla
By Ryan Rosauro
Inquirer Mindanao First
MARAWI CITY, Philippines—Some 500 Muslims burned the Israeli flag during a demonstration here Saturday morning to denounce the May 31 raid by Israeli Defense Forces on a humanitarian aid flotilla bound for Gaza in which nine people were killed.
Most of the protesters were youth and students carrying red, white and blue flags and streamers with messages such as “justice to the Palestinian people” during protest, which was held at Plaza Cabili and dubbed “Bangsamoro Action Against Israeli Terrorism.”
Abul Alibasa of the Ranaw Youth for Peace and Sustainable Development said they wanted “to register and add our voice to the mounting calls for Israeli accountability” for the flotilla raid and “its stranglehold of the Palestinians in general.”
The Israeli military claimed the flotilla was carrying Hamas terrorists although it was later found that the people aboard the boats were peace activists and aid workers.
The raid became a global issue especially on the question of whether the tiny Jewish state has the right to stage attacks in international waters.
On Saturday, another humanitarian aid flotilla was expected to arrive in Gaza, although Israeli authorities have warned that it would be diverted to another port and the food supplies would be transported to Gaza on trucks. .
“If Israel wants respect, it must also respect the basic rights of other people,” said Alibasa.
Moro Islamic Liberation Front internal affairs chief Abdul Azis Mimbantas said in a message read on his behalf that the flotilla raid was a “gruesome violation of human rights perpetrated in cold blood."
Mimbantas said such action “threatened the existence of humanitarian programs around the world.”
“We join the clamor of our Muslim brothers in Gaza and affirm our unity and solidarity with the international community in condemning the brutal and heart-rending incident,” he added.
Mimbantas also issued an appeal “to all paragons of justice, especially the advocates of human rights… to bring the perpetrators to justice and work on the immediate lifting of the equally inhuman siege in Gaza.”
“Imposing a food blockade against any group of people—regardless of religious affiliations and irrespective of political convictions—is worse because it violates the law of God and of man,” said Rahib Kudto, national president of the United Youth for Peace and Development.
“The barbarity of harming those who help a starving population such as the people of Gaza is beyond the power of words to describe,” Kudto added.
Bobby Benito, executive director of the Bangsamoro Center for Just Peace said the Israeli attack was “an act of brutal state terrorism."
“Israel, like any other state, has the right to defend itself and its territories, but this was an outrageous use of lethal force to defend an outrageous and lethal policy, that is, its blockade of Gaza, where two-thirds of families don't know where they'll find their next meal,” he said.
Benito urged the Moros and peace-building communities to “make this dark moment a turning point (to) arise with an unshakable call for justice, and an unbreakable dream of peace.”
Inquirer Mindanao First
MARAWI CITY, Philippines—Some 500 Muslims burned the Israeli flag during a demonstration here Saturday morning to denounce the May 31 raid by Israeli Defense Forces on a humanitarian aid flotilla bound for Gaza in which nine people were killed.
Most of the protesters were youth and students carrying red, white and blue flags and streamers with messages such as “justice to the Palestinian people” during protest, which was held at Plaza Cabili and dubbed “Bangsamoro Action Against Israeli Terrorism.”
Abul Alibasa of the Ranaw Youth for Peace and Sustainable Development said they wanted “to register and add our voice to the mounting calls for Israeli accountability” for the flotilla raid and “its stranglehold of the Palestinians in general.”
The Israeli military claimed the flotilla was carrying Hamas terrorists although it was later found that the people aboard the boats were peace activists and aid workers.
The raid became a global issue especially on the question of whether the tiny Jewish state has the right to stage attacks in international waters.
On Saturday, another humanitarian aid flotilla was expected to arrive in Gaza, although Israeli authorities have warned that it would be diverted to another port and the food supplies would be transported to Gaza on trucks. .
“If Israel wants respect, it must also respect the basic rights of other people,” said Alibasa.
Moro Islamic Liberation Front internal affairs chief Abdul Azis Mimbantas said in a message read on his behalf that the flotilla raid was a “gruesome violation of human rights perpetrated in cold blood."
Mimbantas said such action “threatened the existence of humanitarian programs around the world.”
“We join the clamor of our Muslim brothers in Gaza and affirm our unity and solidarity with the international community in condemning the brutal and heart-rending incident,” he added.
Mimbantas also issued an appeal “to all paragons of justice, especially the advocates of human rights… to bring the perpetrators to justice and work on the immediate lifting of the equally inhuman siege in Gaza.”
“Imposing a food blockade against any group of people—regardless of religious affiliations and irrespective of political convictions—is worse because it violates the law of God and of man,” said Rahib Kudto, national president of the United Youth for Peace and Development.
“The barbarity of harming those who help a starving population such as the people of Gaza is beyond the power of words to describe,” Kudto added.
Bobby Benito, executive director of the Bangsamoro Center for Just Peace said the Israeli attack was “an act of brutal state terrorism."
“Israel, like any other state, has the right to defend itself and its territories, but this was an outrageous use of lethal force to defend an outrageous and lethal policy, that is, its blockade of Gaza, where two-thirds of families don't know where they'll find their next meal,” he said.
Benito urged the Moros and peace-building communities to “make this dark moment a turning point (to) arise with an unshakable call for justice, and an unbreakable dream of peace.”
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Mangudadatu rejects revenge, seeks gun-less society
By Abdulbasit Benito, Bangsamoro Center for JustPeace in the Philippines Inc. - VERA Files
BULUAN, Maguindanao. —If he wins, he will turn Maguindanao into a gun-less society.
Buluan Vice Mayor Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu promised this during the Gubernatorial Candidates Forum and Dialogue held on April 6, the first of a series of dialogues between candidates and civil society organizations in Maguindanao. Mangudadatu was the first candidate invited to the dialogue.
He added that he will not seek revenge for the murder of his wife and relatives who were among the 57 people killed on Nov. 23 as they headed for Shariff Aguak to file the certificate of candidacy on Mangudadatu’s behalf. Also killed in that incident were about 30 journalists who joined the convoy.
The carnage was blamed on the leaders of the Ampatuan clan who were subsequently arrested and are now facing charges.
Explaining why he will not seek revenge, Mangudadatu said, “By being martyrs… (their death) will bring (about) great change in Maguindanao.” He said the death of the 57 people would be worthless if he uses violence to avenge them.
On his first 100 days in office should he get elected, Mangudadatu said he will take necessary steps to regulate firearms in the province. According to the Philippine National Police, there are over a million unlicensed firearms in the country. About 15,000 firearms are reportedly owned by insurgent groups in Mindanao.
Firearms in Mindanao are said to come from military and police arsenals, either stolen or declared as lost during armed encounters. There are also unlicensed gun manufacturers in Western Mindanao, gunrunners who sell to local bandits in the southern part, rebels who manufacture assault rifles and rifle-propelled grenades, and illegal foreign shipments.
The vice mayor also said he is also willing to provide for an amnesty program for private armed groups. Partisan Armed Groups or Private Armed Groups (PAGs) are known to contribute to the proliferation of unlicensed firearms in the country.
he said that once elected he will be focusing on good governance, poverty alleviation, infrastructure, enforcement of the rule of law, improved delivery of basic services, and reconciliation.
Describing his manner of governance, Mangudadatu said he will make sure that all stakeholders, especially indigenous peoples, Christians, women, and the youth, will have a voice in his administration.
For the next round of the dialogue series, CSOs will be inviting gubernatorial candidates Datu Midpantao Midtimbang and Datu Ombra Sinsuat. The series is led by the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society (CBCS), a network of Moro nongovernment organizations, people’s organizations, and cooperatives.
“We will talk as brothers and sisters, as Bangsamoros with a common cause,” said Hadji Morsed Mascud, executive director of the Al Ihsan Foundation Inc.
The dialogues will be aired over the radio to enable as many people as possible to hear the candidates, he added.
BULUAN, Maguindanao. —If he wins, he will turn Maguindanao into a gun-less society.
Buluan Vice Mayor Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu promised this during the Gubernatorial Candidates Forum and Dialogue held on April 6, the first of a series of dialogues between candidates and civil society organizations in Maguindanao. Mangudadatu was the first candidate invited to the dialogue.
He added that he will not seek revenge for the murder of his wife and relatives who were among the 57 people killed on Nov. 23 as they headed for Shariff Aguak to file the certificate of candidacy on Mangudadatu’s behalf. Also killed in that incident were about 30 journalists who joined the convoy.
The carnage was blamed on the leaders of the Ampatuan clan who were subsequently arrested and are now facing charges.
Explaining why he will not seek revenge, Mangudadatu said, “By being martyrs… (their death) will bring (about) great change in Maguindanao.” He said the death of the 57 people would be worthless if he uses violence to avenge them.
On his first 100 days in office should he get elected, Mangudadatu said he will take necessary steps to regulate firearms in the province. According to the Philippine National Police, there are over a million unlicensed firearms in the country. About 15,000 firearms are reportedly owned by insurgent groups in Mindanao.
Firearms in Mindanao are said to come from military and police arsenals, either stolen or declared as lost during armed encounters. There are also unlicensed gun manufacturers in Western Mindanao, gunrunners who sell to local bandits in the southern part, rebels who manufacture assault rifles and rifle-propelled grenades, and illegal foreign shipments.
The vice mayor also said he is also willing to provide for an amnesty program for private armed groups. Partisan Armed Groups or Private Armed Groups (PAGs) are known to contribute to the proliferation of unlicensed firearms in the country.
he said that once elected he will be focusing on good governance, poverty alleviation, infrastructure, enforcement of the rule of law, improved delivery of basic services, and reconciliation.
Describing his manner of governance, Mangudadatu said he will make sure that all stakeholders, especially indigenous peoples, Christians, women, and the youth, will have a voice in his administration.
For the next round of the dialogue series, CSOs will be inviting gubernatorial candidates Datu Midpantao Midtimbang and Datu Ombra Sinsuat. The series is led by the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society (CBCS), a network of Moro nongovernment organizations, people’s organizations, and cooperatives.
“We will talk as brothers and sisters, as Bangsamoros with a common cause,” said Hadji Morsed Mascud, executive director of the Al Ihsan Foundation Inc.
The dialogues will be aired over the radio to enable as many people as possible to hear the candidates, he added.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Dialogue Mindanaw: “lack of awareness and understanding of issues” in GRP-MILF peace talks
By Carolyn O. Arguillas | Saturday| June 12, 2010
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/12 June) – “Lack of awareness and understanding” of the issues in the peace talks between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is the reason why “people could not make informed choices and are confused about th e issues,” the results of the poll survey conducted during the Dialogue Mindanaw, showed.
Musa Sanguila, Regional Management Team coordinator for Lanao, who presented the poll survey results at the Peace Forum for Sustained Partnership at the Grand Regal Hotel here on Friday, concluded by saying, “if there is one imperative arising from the results, it is the need for a comprehensive communication program that would make people understand the issues and the implications in order for them to make informed, responsible decisions.”
The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) initiated the “reflective dialogues” in 13 areas in the country, nine of them in Mindanao. Some 3,769 participants from various sectors and religions, participated in the dialogues.
Dialogue Mindanaw involved three steps: information-sharing on the issues in the peace talks by representatives of the government and the MILF, small group discussions where participants are divided into 30 groups at ten members each, for them to reflect on these four questions:
-What do you feel about the current GRP-MILF talks?
-What issues in the GRP-MILF peace talks are clear to you? What are not clear?
-Which issue in the GRP-MILF peace talks do you think is most important? What should be done to address it?
-What other issues related to the GRP-MILF Peace Talks should also be considered? How should these issues be handled?
The third step is the poll survey which is done after the sharing.
The dialogues, held in February and March, brought participants in neighboring towns to Jolo, Sulu; Davao City, Zamboanga City, Bacolod City, Cotabato City, Koronadal City, Cagayan de Oro, Caraga region, Southern Palawan, Northern Luzon and Lanao.
Question 1: While some participants are “happy and hopeful” about the GRP-MILF talks as it would “successfully lead to the signing of a peace agreement which will result to a cessation of hostilities and peace and development in their communities,” others are “worried, anxious and doubtful.”
Worried about an MILF-led governance, anxious about the peace talks being used as justification to amend the Constitution for political interests, and doubtful about the integrity of the negotiations due to “lack of transparency, lack of information, holding the talks in Malaysia and the composition of the panel.”
Other participants said they felt “frustrated, disappointed and cynical,” another set says they’re “confused and ‘do not know;” while others are “apathetic and indifferent.”
Question 2: Participants listed the following as both clear and unclear to them: Bangsamoro Ancestral Domain, including the controversial Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain; Bangsamoro Identity; Governance, Revenue-Sharing, Sharing on Natural Resources, Conduct of Peace Talks, Constitutional Change and Indigenous Peoples Lumads, indigenous governance and sharing of resources.
Question 3: The most frequently cited issues are Bangsamoro Homeland/Ancestral Domain, Governance, Bangsamoro Identitiy, Resources, Conduct of the Peace Negotiations, Concerns over the Indigenous Peoples/Lumads and MNLF-MILF relations.
Question 4: Other issues participants want tackled in the talks are human security/peace and Order; Human rights violations: Internal Displacement, Discrimination against Muslims, Social and Economic Development of Mindanao; Understanding and Appreciation of Mindanao’s Culgture; Eucation and Other Social Services, Interfaith Dialogue; implementation of the 1996 GRP-MNLF Final Peace Agreement; Peace Constituency-Building, and Fostering the Culture of Peace; Role of Media, Land Tenure, Women’s Agenda and Environment.
“Bangsamoro people”
Eight questions were asked during the poll survey, the first of which was the people’s understanding of the term “Bangsamoro people.”
Four choices of answer were given: all native inhabitants of Mindanao at the time of conquest. This was the favoured answer of TawiTawi – 62%; Cotabato- 47%; Lanao-40%; Palawan- 39%; and Sulu 35%
Participants in other dialogue sites chose the second and fourth alternatives: Bangsamoros are believers of Islam; and inhabitants of ARMM and neighboring communities who agree to be part of Bangsamoro.
Constituional Amendments
Amending the Constitution has been forwarded as a way forward in the GRP-MILF peace talks as the present Constitution limits the choices for proposed solutions.
Proponents of amending the Constitution to solve the Bangsamoro problem argued that it is necessary to “respond to the call for structural change such as expansion of the ARMM, management and sharing of resources, and governance.”
Areas where participants favour Constitutional amendments are: TawiTawi – 72% ; Sulu -65%; Bacolod- 55%; Manila- 54%; and Cotabato- 53%.
Those not in favor and/or have doubts and have asked for the possibility of looking for other options are participants from: Butuan – 59%; CDO – 54%; Koronadal – 51%; Zamboanga – 51%; and Baguio – 49%.
Expanding ARMM
Participants were also asked if they favor the expansion of the ARMM.
Areas where participants favor expanding the ARMM are TawiTawi – 79%, Sulu – 60%, Iligan -48% and Cotabato- 48%. Palawan which is included in the MOA-AD registered a yes of only 31%.
Participants in the other dialogue sites said no to expansion. These are Butuan – 69%, Zamboanga – 67%; Bacolod -65%; Cagayan de Oro – 62%; Baguio – 65%; Davao – 57%; and Palawan – 50%.
ARMM and National Government
What is the appropriate relationship between the ARMM and the National Government?
Participants in the dialogue sites of Butuan, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Zamboanga and Davao prefer to retain the present ARMM structure.
Tawi-Tawi, Palawan, Bacolod, Koronodal, Cotabato, and Sulu favor a federal state while Manila and Davao participants have approximately the same percentage on the choice between present ARMM structure and federal state.
Coastal Waters?
How should the coastal waters be managed?
Results show that those who favor “ARMM to have sole control within 15kms and joint management beyond 15 kms are the following: Tawi-Tawi (48%), Manila (48%) Sulu (47%) Iligan (43%) Puerto Princesa (36%) and Zamboanga (35%).”
Those who favor “ARMM to have only administrative authority within 15 kms from the coastlines” are Butuan (39%), Baguio (37%) , Koronodal (38%), and Davao (42%) while Cagayan de Oro, Bacolod and Cotabato registered an almost equal opinion on the first and second item..
Sharing
The current form of sharing on revenues from natural resources is as follows: Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao at 35% , Province at 35%; and National Government at 30%.
The MILF proposes a 75%-25% sharing between the Bangsamoro and National Government.
Respondents from the following dialogue sites favor the 75-25 % sharing: Tawi-Tawi – 56%; Sulu– 42%; Bacolod – 38%, Iligan – 40%; Manila – 34%.
Respondents from Butuan (28%) prefer a 60-40% sharing in favor of the Bangsamoro while those who favor a 50-50% sharing are Zamboanga and Davao.
Strategic Minerals
All regions favoured the joint management by the autonomous regional government and National Government with Baguio (84%) registering the highest percentage followed by Tawi-Tawi (80%) Bacolod, (78%), Manila (71%)
But Zamboanga (25%) Cagayan de Oro (21%) and Davao (20%) prefer ‘sole control by the National Government” while participants in Butuan, Puerto Princesa, Koronadal,. Cotabato and Sulu, registered 20% respondents who answered ‘I do not know’ and ‘no answer’.
Confidence in peace peace talks
The last question measures the level of confidence on the GRP-MILF peace negotiation.
Only two regions are optimistic: Tawi-Tawi which is “very confident (59%) followed by Butuan at 41%.
Areas where participants are “somewhat confident” are Bacolod ( 60%), Baguio (50%), Cotabato (49%), Iligan (48%) Koronadal (46%), and Davao (45%).
Conclusions
Poll survey results show there is lack of consensus on all issues except on the joint management of natural resources where all regions favored the joint management by the ARMM Regional Government and National Government.
There is a lack of awareness and understanding of the issues in the GRP-MILF Peace Talks.
Because of this, people could not make informed choices and are confused about the issues.
Delay in announcing results
The Dialogue Mindanaw results were not immediately announced.
Abaya said they waited for the election fever to subside before going on a roadshow.
The results have not been presented to the MILF.
Abdulbasit Benito of the Bangsamoro Center for Just Peace asked if the results have been presented to the MILF but Abaya replied, “di pa naibibigay sa MILF. We’re hoping the people we are inviting will be the ones to bring this to MI but if MI is interested in listening to us, we can present to them.” (Carolyn O. Arguillas/MindaNews)
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/12 June) – “Lack of awareness and understanding” of the issues in the peace talks between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is the reason why “people could not make informed choices and are confused about th e issues,” the results of the poll survey conducted during the Dialogue Mindanaw, showed.
Musa Sanguila, Regional Management Team coordinator for Lanao, who presented the poll survey results at the Peace Forum for Sustained Partnership at the Grand Regal Hotel here on Friday, concluded by saying, “if there is one imperative arising from the results, it is the need for a comprehensive communication program that would make people understand the issues and the implications in order for them to make informed, responsible decisions.”
The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) initiated the “reflective dialogues” in 13 areas in the country, nine of them in Mindanao. Some 3,769 participants from various sectors and religions, participated in the dialogues.
Dialogue Mindanaw involved three steps: information-sharing on the issues in the peace talks by representatives of the government and the MILF, small group discussions where participants are divided into 30 groups at ten members each, for them to reflect on these four questions:
-What do you feel about the current GRP-MILF talks?
-What issues in the GRP-MILF peace talks are clear to you? What are not clear?
-Which issue in the GRP-MILF peace talks do you think is most important? What should be done to address it?
-What other issues related to the GRP-MILF Peace Talks should also be considered? How should these issues be handled?
The third step is the poll survey which is done after the sharing.
The dialogues, held in February and March, brought participants in neighboring towns to Jolo, Sulu; Davao City, Zamboanga City, Bacolod City, Cotabato City, Koronadal City, Cagayan de Oro, Caraga region, Southern Palawan, Northern Luzon and Lanao.
Question 1: While some participants are “happy and hopeful” about the GRP-MILF talks as it would “successfully lead to the signing of a peace agreement which will result to a cessation of hostilities and peace and development in their communities,” others are “worried, anxious and doubtful.”
Worried about an MILF-led governance, anxious about the peace talks being used as justification to amend the Constitution for political interests, and doubtful about the integrity of the negotiations due to “lack of transparency, lack of information, holding the talks in Malaysia and the composition of the panel.”
Other participants said they felt “frustrated, disappointed and cynical,” another set says they’re “confused and ‘do not know;” while others are “apathetic and indifferent.”
Question 2: Participants listed the following as both clear and unclear to them: Bangsamoro Ancestral Domain, including the controversial Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain; Bangsamoro Identity; Governance, Revenue-Sharing, Sharing on Natural Resources, Conduct of Peace Talks, Constitutional Change and Indigenous Peoples Lumads, indigenous governance and sharing of resources.
Question 3: The most frequently cited issues are Bangsamoro Homeland/Ancestral Domain, Governance, Bangsamoro Identitiy, Resources, Conduct of the Peace Negotiations, Concerns over the Indigenous Peoples/Lumads and MNLF-MILF relations.
Question 4: Other issues participants want tackled in the talks are human security/peace and Order; Human rights violations: Internal Displacement, Discrimination against Muslims, Social and Economic Development of Mindanao; Understanding and Appreciation of Mindanao’s Culgture; Eucation and Other Social Services, Interfaith Dialogue; implementation of the 1996 GRP-MNLF Final Peace Agreement; Peace Constituency-Building, and Fostering the Culture of Peace; Role of Media, Land Tenure, Women’s Agenda and Environment.
“Bangsamoro people”
Eight questions were asked during the poll survey, the first of which was the people’s understanding of the term “Bangsamoro people.”
Four choices of answer were given: all native inhabitants of Mindanao at the time of conquest. This was the favoured answer of TawiTawi – 62%; Cotabato- 47%; Lanao-40%; Palawan- 39%; and Sulu 35%
Participants in other dialogue sites chose the second and fourth alternatives: Bangsamoros are believers of Islam; and inhabitants of ARMM and neighboring communities who agree to be part of Bangsamoro.
Constituional Amendments
Amending the Constitution has been forwarded as a way forward in the GRP-MILF peace talks as the present Constitution limits the choices for proposed solutions.
Proponents of amending the Constitution to solve the Bangsamoro problem argued that it is necessary to “respond to the call for structural change such as expansion of the ARMM, management and sharing of resources, and governance.”
Areas where participants favour Constitutional amendments are: TawiTawi – 72% ; Sulu -65%; Bacolod- 55%; Manila- 54%; and Cotabato- 53%.
Those not in favor and/or have doubts and have asked for the possibility of looking for other options are participants from: Butuan – 59%; CDO – 54%; Koronadal – 51%; Zamboanga – 51%; and Baguio – 49%.
Expanding ARMM
Participants were also asked if they favor the expansion of the ARMM.
Areas where participants favor expanding the ARMM are TawiTawi – 79%, Sulu – 60%, Iligan -48% and Cotabato- 48%. Palawan which is included in the MOA-AD registered a yes of only 31%.
Participants in the other dialogue sites said no to expansion. These are Butuan – 69%, Zamboanga – 67%; Bacolod -65%; Cagayan de Oro – 62%; Baguio – 65%; Davao – 57%; and Palawan – 50%.
ARMM and National Government
What is the appropriate relationship between the ARMM and the National Government?
Participants in the dialogue sites of Butuan, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Zamboanga and Davao prefer to retain the present ARMM structure.
Tawi-Tawi, Palawan, Bacolod, Koronodal, Cotabato, and Sulu favor a federal state while Manila and Davao participants have approximately the same percentage on the choice between present ARMM structure and federal state.
Coastal Waters?
How should the coastal waters be managed?
Results show that those who favor “ARMM to have sole control within 15kms and joint management beyond 15 kms are the following: Tawi-Tawi (48%), Manila (48%) Sulu (47%) Iligan (43%) Puerto Princesa (36%) and Zamboanga (35%).”
Those who favor “ARMM to have only administrative authority within 15 kms from the coastlines” are Butuan (39%), Baguio (37%) , Koronodal (38%), and Davao (42%) while Cagayan de Oro, Bacolod and Cotabato registered an almost equal opinion on the first and second item..
Sharing
The current form of sharing on revenues from natural resources is as follows: Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao at 35% , Province at 35%; and National Government at 30%.
The MILF proposes a 75%-25% sharing between the Bangsamoro and National Government.
Respondents from the following dialogue sites favor the 75-25 % sharing: Tawi-Tawi – 56%; Sulu– 42%; Bacolod – 38%, Iligan – 40%; Manila – 34%.
Respondents from Butuan (28%) prefer a 60-40% sharing in favor of the Bangsamoro while those who favor a 50-50% sharing are Zamboanga and Davao.
Strategic Minerals
All regions favoured the joint management by the autonomous regional government and National Government with Baguio (84%) registering the highest percentage followed by Tawi-Tawi (80%) Bacolod, (78%), Manila (71%)
But Zamboanga (25%) Cagayan de Oro (21%) and Davao (20%) prefer ‘sole control by the National Government” while participants in Butuan, Puerto Princesa, Koronadal,. Cotabato and Sulu, registered 20% respondents who answered ‘I do not know’ and ‘no answer’.
Confidence in peace peace talks
The last question measures the level of confidence on the GRP-MILF peace negotiation.
Only two regions are optimistic: Tawi-Tawi which is “very confident (59%) followed by Butuan at 41%.
Areas where participants are “somewhat confident” are Bacolod ( 60%), Baguio (50%), Cotabato (49%), Iligan (48%) Koronadal (46%), and Davao (45%).
Conclusions
Poll survey results show there is lack of consensus on all issues except on the joint management of natural resources where all regions favored the joint management by the ARMM Regional Government and National Government.
There is a lack of awareness and understanding of the issues in the GRP-MILF Peace Talks.
Because of this, people could not make informed choices and are confused about the issues.
Delay in announcing results
The Dialogue Mindanaw results were not immediately announced.
Abaya said they waited for the election fever to subside before going on a roadshow.
The results have not been presented to the MILF.
Abdulbasit Benito of the Bangsamoro Center for Just Peace asked if the results have been presented to the MILF but Abaya replied, “di pa naibibigay sa MILF. We’re hoping the people we are inviting will be the ones to bring this to MI but if MI is interested in listening to us, we can present to them.” (Carolyn O. Arguillas/MindaNews)
Friday, June 4, 2010
BCJP Denounces Israeli Attack; Independent investigation urged.
June 2, 2010
Cotabato City - The Bangsamoro Center for Justpeace Inc. (BCJP) denounces Israel’s outrageous attack on a convoy of humanitarian aid bound for Gaza on May 31, 2010. The incident resulted to catastrophic loss of life after they boarded and attacked the ships three of which flew Turkish flag. The Israeli attack “is an act of brutal state terrorism", said BCJP Executive Director Abdulbasit R. Benito.
“Israel, like any other state, has the right to defend itself and its territories, but this was an outrageous use of lethal force to defend an outrageous and lethal policy -- Israel's blockade of Gaza, where two thirds of families don't know where they'll find their next meal”. Benito added
With this, we are calling on the Israel to lift the blockade now. We are also urging the UN, EU, and every other government and multilateral organization to launch a full investigation of the flotilla raid. But without massive pressure from their citizens, world leaders might limit their response to mere words -- as they have so many times before. Hence we encourage every peace loving people of the world to pressure their respective government to do something regarding this tragic incident for humanitarian sake on behalf of the children, women and other vulnerable peoples in Palestine.
Let's make the world's outcry too loud to ignore. Let us all join in the call for an independent investigation into the raid, accountability for those responsible, and an immediate end to the blockade in Gaza. These people in Gaza have been suffering for a very long time already and now their suffering is even greater.
Their lives of people who perished in the attack cannot be brought back. But perhaps, together, we can make this dark moment a turning point -- if we arise with an unshakable call for justice, and an unbreakable dream of peace. Benito stressed out. “It's time for a full investigation to begin -- and for the siege of Gaza to end, he added.
Cotabato City - The Bangsamoro Center for Justpeace Inc. (BCJP) denounces Israel’s outrageous attack on a convoy of humanitarian aid bound for Gaza on May 31, 2010. The incident resulted to catastrophic loss of life after they boarded and attacked the ships three of which flew Turkish flag. The Israeli attack “is an act of brutal state terrorism", said BCJP Executive Director Abdulbasit R. Benito.
“Israel, like any other state, has the right to defend itself and its territories, but this was an outrageous use of lethal force to defend an outrageous and lethal policy -- Israel's blockade of Gaza, where two thirds of families don't know where they'll find their next meal”. Benito added
With this, we are calling on the Israel to lift the blockade now. We are also urging the UN, EU, and every other government and multilateral organization to launch a full investigation of the flotilla raid. But without massive pressure from their citizens, world leaders might limit their response to mere words -- as they have so many times before. Hence we encourage every peace loving people of the world to pressure their respective government to do something regarding this tragic incident for humanitarian sake on behalf of the children, women and other vulnerable peoples in Palestine.
Let's make the world's outcry too loud to ignore. Let us all join in the call for an independent investigation into the raid, accountability for those responsible, and an immediate end to the blockade in Gaza. These people in Gaza have been suffering for a very long time already and now their suffering is even greater.
Their lives of people who perished in the attack cannot be brought back. But perhaps, together, we can make this dark moment a turning point -- if we arise with an unshakable call for justice, and an unbreakable dream of peace. Benito stressed out. “It's time for a full investigation to begin -- and for the siege of Gaza to end, he added.
Moro CSO’s condemn Israeli attack vs. Peace Flotilla
By: Ali Zhul-Qarnain
June 3, 2010 - Various Moro civil society organizations condemned in the strongest terms possible the attack of the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) on the Freedom Flotilla off the Gazan coastline.
“Imposing a food blockade against any group of people – regardless of religious affiliations and irrespective of political convictions – is worse enough because it violates the law of God and that of man. And the barbarity of harming those who help a starving population such as the people of Gaza is beyond the power of words to describe.”
This is the reaction of Rahib L. Kudto, the national president of the United Youth for Peace and Development, Inc. (UNYPAD), a nongovernmental organization (NGO) based in Cotabato City, on the attack of the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) against the Freedom Flotilla while the convoy of ship are still in the international waters.
Kudto, concurrently, is the deputy secretary-general of the Mindanao People’s Caucus (MPC) and the chairperson of the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society – Kutawato Regional Management Committee (CBCS-KRMC).
Contrary to what the IDF claims, the Freedom Flotilla was not full of Hamas terrorists but instead full of peace activists, members of European parliaments and other groups who wanted the blockade of Gaza be lifted immediately.
Bobby Benito, the Executive Director of the Bangsamoro Center for Just Peace (BCJP) said the Israeli attack was “an act of brutal state terrorism."
“Israel, like any other state, has the right to defend itself and its territories, but this was an outrageous use of lethal force to defend an outrageous and lethal policy -- Israel's blockade of Gaza, where two thirds of families don't know where they'll find their next meal,” Benito said.
“The lives of people who perished in the attack cannot be brought back. But perhaps, together, we can make this dark moment a turning point -- if we arise with an unshakable call for justice, and an unbreakable dream of peace,“ Benito added.
Meanwhile, Taher Solaiman, the president and founder of the Cotabato Center for Peace and Development Initiatives, Inc. (CCPDII), an NGO based in Carmen, North Cotabato, said “the food blockade against Gaza is no less than a form of a collective punishment of its whole population which is illegal under both international human rights law and international humanitarian law and, therefore, its perpetrators should not go unpunished.”
The UNYPAD, BCJP and CCPDII are one in calling for “an immediate, thorough and impartial investigation on the Israeli attack on the Peace Flotilla; to punish whoever will be found guilty and, for the outright lifting of the food blockade against Gaza.”
June 3, 2010 - Various Moro civil society organizations condemned in the strongest terms possible the attack of the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) on the Freedom Flotilla off the Gazan coastline.
“Imposing a food blockade against any group of people – regardless of religious affiliations and irrespective of political convictions – is worse enough because it violates the law of God and that of man. And the barbarity of harming those who help a starving population such as the people of Gaza is beyond the power of words to describe.”
This is the reaction of Rahib L. Kudto, the national president of the United Youth for Peace and Development, Inc. (UNYPAD), a nongovernmental organization (NGO) based in Cotabato City, on the attack of the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) against the Freedom Flotilla while the convoy of ship are still in the international waters.
Kudto, concurrently, is the deputy secretary-general of the Mindanao People’s Caucus (MPC) and the chairperson of the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society – Kutawato Regional Management Committee (CBCS-KRMC).
Contrary to what the IDF claims, the Freedom Flotilla was not full of Hamas terrorists but instead full of peace activists, members of European parliaments and other groups who wanted the blockade of Gaza be lifted immediately.
Bobby Benito, the Executive Director of the Bangsamoro Center for Just Peace (BCJP) said the Israeli attack was “an act of brutal state terrorism."
“Israel, like any other state, has the right to defend itself and its territories, but this was an outrageous use of lethal force to defend an outrageous and lethal policy -- Israel's blockade of Gaza, where two thirds of families don't know where they'll find their next meal,” Benito said.
“The lives of people who perished in the attack cannot be brought back. But perhaps, together, we can make this dark moment a turning point -- if we arise with an unshakable call for justice, and an unbreakable dream of peace,“ Benito added.
Meanwhile, Taher Solaiman, the president and founder of the Cotabato Center for Peace and Development Initiatives, Inc. (CCPDII), an NGO based in Carmen, North Cotabato, said “the food blockade against Gaza is no less than a form of a collective punishment of its whole population which is illegal under both international human rights law and international humanitarian law and, therefore, its perpetrators should not go unpunished.”
The UNYPAD, BCJP and CCPDII are one in calling for “an immediate, thorough and impartial investigation on the Israeli attack on the Peace Flotilla; to punish whoever will be found guilty and, for the outright lifting of the food blockade against Gaza.”
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