MILF in offensive

In a Press Conference, AFP Chief of Staff General Hermogenes Esperon said that the President tapped the PNP to be in charge in apprehending more or less 130 persons suspected in the beheading and gave them three days to proceed to the rightful flow of justice, while the military will be positioned as back-up in the apprehension, but the said three days has passed. 

However, Non-Government Organizations (NGO) and Peoples Organizations )PO), Interfaith groups, and other respected civil societies made this statement;

"Limited police action", that is how the hawks in government and military describes the impending offensive in Basilan to assure the people that it will not lead to another all-out war.  We have heard this phrase before. 

In year 2000, this was also the phrase used in the aftermath of the Ozamiz ferry bombing. In year 2003, it was again used in the aftermath of the Davao city airport and wharf bombings.  And from what transpired in those years, we all know the truth behind that phrase – ALL OUT WAR!

The 2000 and 2003 all-out wars led to thousands of deaths - combatants and civilians alike - and a million and a half internally displaced people.  The reconstruction and return of the refugees have not even been completed and yet we are staring at the specter of another all-out war as a consequence of the Basilan encounter between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Bangsamoro Islamic Liberation Front (BIAF).

Therefore, we who come from various sectors and civil society organizations, who represent the true stakeholders of the Mindanao Peace Process, whose voices are drowned by the drums of war and jingoist calls for revenge, declare the following:

1.           We condemn in no uncertain terms any and all atrocities and human rights abuses or any failure to respect the provisions of Protocol II of the Geneva Conventions BY ANY SIDE to the Mindanao Conflict;

Last update : 10-01-2008 03:27

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