Friday, December 07, 2007 All-out war in Mindanao hit By Grace L. Plata
MUSLIM and Christian groups condemned what they call an all-out war of the government against the people of Mindanao.
In a press conference Thursday, Muslim and Christian religious leaders read out a joint solidarity statement for the 56th commemoration of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on December 10.
"In the guise of its campaign against terrorism and counter-insurgency, the Arroyo administration made the peoples of Mindanao targets of military's strike operations, psy-war campaigns and intelligence work," the statement read.
It also condemned the vicious campaign that has resulted to unabated extra-judicial killings, repressive attacks, and various forms of human violations.
All these it says, has victimize the civilian populace of Christians, Moro, and Lumad communities. It has also hurt members of people's organizations and personalities opposing the anti-people programs of the government.
Bishop Delfin Callao of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente, Ustadz Mohammad Tee, Ustadz Wilson Miranda, and Amirah Ali-Lidasan of the Suara Bangsamoro Party, with their allied parties and organizations, said the dominating presence of the military clearly subverts the rule of law.
The military also undermines the regular functions of the local government units and the constitutionally mandated civilian supremacy.
"We, the Muslims and Christians of Mindanao, stand in unity with the rest of the people of the Philippines who calls for an end to the political persecution of activists and human rights defenders," the group said.
They are also calling for an end to terrorism against Muslims and revolutionary groups. It simply is, they said, an end to the violation of human rights.
They call on the government to respect the people of Mindanao by putting an end to the government anti-terror campaign and declaration of all-out war in their areas as well as the release of Muslim and Christian brothers who were arrested and detained in suspicion of being terrorists and bombers.
On the other hand, Karapatan-Southern Mindanao Secretary General Kelly Delgado said cases of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances have visibly lowered in 2007.
"From 200 plus in 2006, we have listed only 67 this year. This can be attributed to international pressure and the increased awareness of the people," Delgado said.
He added that the "Writ of Amparo" is also one deterrent for the perpetrators of these violations.
"These are really gains but we will not stop there. We aim to encourage people to get involved and fight laws and moves that aim to violate human rights such as the Human Security Act and the Oplan Bantay Laya," Delgado said.
