Interfaith Mission Deplores All-out War, Humanitarian Crisis in N. Cotabato, Maguindanao

Published on October 25, 2008

“All-out war”

The NIHM participants compared the situation in North Cotabato and Maguindanao to what happened during the all-out wars declared by the Estrada and Arroyo governments in 2000 and 2003, respectively. Said the participants in their statement:

The military offensives in North Cotabato and Maguindanao are carried out under the pretext of pursuit operations against Kato and his group, but these in reality fall within the context of an all-out war. The policy of “disarmament, demobilization and rehabilitation” (DDR) which is now being carried out by the government shuts the door to peace and leaves all-out war as the main option. The so-called pursuit operations and “surgical operations” being conducted in North Cotabato and Maguindanao are characterized by the excessive use of firepower mainly against the civilian populace.

No military personnel have been called to account for the atrocities against human rights. The military’s tactic has invariably been to divert the blame for atrocities onto other groups.

The situation in the two provinces continues to deteriorate and has reached the proportions of a humanitarian crisis. As yet, there appears to be no end in sight to the miseries of those who have borne the brunt of the fighting.

The interfaith mission recommended the cessation of military operations in the two provinces. “This is the easiest way by which the evacuees could return to their homes and rebuild their lives,” said Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan or New Patriotic Alliance) secretary-general Renato Reyes, Jr.

Aside from this, the mssion also recommended that the issues related to the conflict be addressed in the proper forum, particularly the Coordinating Committee for the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH), a joint ceasefire monitoring body composed of representatives from both the government and the MILF. They also called for an independent investigation into human rights abuses perpetrated since the renewed fighting broke out, indemnification and rehabilitation assistance for the victims of the war, and the resumption of peace negotiations between the government and the MILF. (Bulatlat)

*The organizations that participated in the NIHM are Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, Bayan Muna, Gabriela Women’s Party, GABRIELA, Karapatan, Kawagib-Moro Human Rights Organization, Suara Bangsamoro, Liga ng Kabataang Moro, Initiatives for Peace in Mindanao, Kalumaran, Health Action for Human Rights, Bangsamoro Medical Society, Ecumenical Mission for Peace and Development, National Council of Churches in the Philippines, Southeast Mindanao Ecumenical Council, Cotabato Regional Ecumenical Council, Children’s Rehabilitation Center-Southern Mindanao, Kabiba Alliance for Children’s Concern, Center for Women’s Resource, AlphaSigma Phi-CCSPC (Cotabato City State Polytechnic College) Chapter, The Torch Publication-CCSPC, Moro Youth Religious Organization, Assumption College of Davao-Social Work Students, Notre Dame University Peace Center, Notre Dame University College of Nursing, Notre Dame School of Dulawan, United Youth for Peace and Development, Lay Forum Philippines, United Methodist Church-Mindanao Philippines Annual Conference, Episcopal Diocese for Southern Philippines, United Church of Christ in the Philippines-Southern Mindanao District Conference, and Holy Cross of Davao College-Social Work Students.

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