“Accountability rather than blame…reconciliation rather than retribution…peace rather than war”--NCC-Philippines

The National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) together with all in our nation continues to mourn the deaths of those who lost their lives in the tragic conflict in Mamasapano, Maguindanao. We mourn with the grieving families of the PNPSAF (Philippine National Police Special Action Force) members, we weep with the MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front) families who have lost loved ones, with those elements that the PNP had engaged as force multipliers and with the civilians who were also killed and injured.

Fr. Rex RB. Reyes, Jr., General Secretary of the NCCP said “we join the nation in questioning why our police were so inadequately coordinated and equipped for the encounter they were engaged in, we question why the ceasefire protocols agreed to by the government with the MILF were not respected, we question what role president Aquino had in ordering this tragic operation, and the real reasons behind its prosecution.”

“We find it incomprehensible” said Fr. Reyes “why the Administration of President Aquino, that has so strongly stated it is all for peace, would engage in such an adventurist operation when its plans for a peace settlement were at such a critical stage.” Fr Reyes said that “we are outraged that what appears to be a poorly coordinated and ill-conceived operation, has not only resulted in the loss of precious lives on all sides, but has given reason for the voices of those who seek war rather than peace in Mindanao to unfortunately find strength and support.”

The NCCP fears that these events challenge the authenticity of President Aquino’s commitment to peace. Fr Reyes said “We fear that rather than bringing the nation closer to peace, the ineptitude of our President has brought us closer to war.” From the tragic experiences of the past it is clear that the loss of life, the displacement, the loss of livelihoods that would result from any renewed conflict in Mindanao would be even worse than the events that unfolded in the corn fields of Mamasapano, Maguindanao. Fr. Reyes said “We call on all parties to the conflict in Mindanao to do all within their power to pursue peace. We call on our political leaders of all persuasions to seek to calm our nation at this critical time rather than to inflame sentiments of revenge. We call on our president for transparency, honesty and contrition where needed. We pray that there may be accountability rather than blame, there may be reconciliation rather than retribution, and there may be peace rather than war.” “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matt 5:9)



REV. FR. REX RB. REYES, Jr.

General Secretary – NCCP

NAT’L MISSION IN TALAINGOD, MINDANAO, PHILIPPINES, PRESS FOR JUST AND LASTING PEACE, RESUMPTION OF GPH-NDFP PEACE TALKS

NEWS RELEASE
May 16, 2014

Reference: Cristina Palabay, Karapatan secretary general (+63917-3162839)

http://www.karapatan.org/Nat%27l+Mission+in+Talaingod+press+for+just+and+lasting+peace%2C+resumption+of+GPH-NDFP+peacetalks


“We need peace, respect for our right to the land we till, and protection for the environment, for our children and the future generation.”

This was the statement of Datu Guibang Apoga, leader of the Salugpungan ’Ta Igkanugon (Pagkakaisa sa Pagtatanggol ng Lupang Ninuno), in a rare audience with representatives of human rights and people’s organizations in Talaingod, Davao del Norte sometime during the four-day National Solidarity Mission organized by Defend Talaingod, Save Pantaron Range Alliance from May 11-15, 2014.

Datu Guibang has led the Talaingod Manobos in the Pantaron Range in their defense of the mineral and resource-rich biodiversity area against the entry of mining and logging companies and military operations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) since 1993.

Recently, more than 1,300 Manobos forcibly evacuated from the area after a series of aerial bombings, indiscriminate firing and other human rights violations of the the 68th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army (IBPA) , 60th IB PA of the 1003rd Brigade, and the 4th Special Forces of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) which started in March 3, 2014. After the successful negotiations with the local governments of Davao City and Davao del Norte for the pull-out of the military in the area, the Manobos returned to their homes during the first week of May.

The solidarity mission validated reports on the threats, harassment, divestment of properties, encampment of schools and health centers, destruction of farms, and even sexual molestation in the various sitios in Talaingod.

“The AFP’s operations through Oplan Bayanihan in Talaingod and in the rest of the country have only resulted to grave human rights violations, and social and economic impact on the lives of the people. The need to resume the peace talks between the Aquino government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines is more pronounced than ever. The GPH and the AFP should stop its dirty war against the people and instead should address the roots of the armed conflict in the country,” said Cristina Palabay, Karapatan secretary general who led the delegation of national organizations which joined the mission.

In a press conference after the mission, Palabay scored the AFP on the failure of Oplan Bayanihan’s militarist objectives, in addressing the plight of the Manobos and communities. “In the case of Talaingod, the AFP has miserably failed in breaking the organized strength of the Manobos in upholding their right to land, despite continuous military operations,” she added.

Palabay said that necessary social and economic reforms are vital components of an environment for just and lasting peace, reforms which are the next major agenda of the stalled GPH-NDFP peace talks.

“It goes to show that the Aquino administration and the AFP are not at all serious in addressing these urgent and comprehensive concerns, if all they do is unleash their war against the people through Oplan Bayanihan,” Palabay concluded.
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Alliance for the Advancement of People's Rights
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KARAPATAN is an alliance of human rights organizations and programs, human rights desks and committees of people’s organizations, and individual advocates committed to the defense and promotion of people’s rights and civil liberties. It monitors and documents cases of human rights violations, assists and defends victims and conducts education, training and campaign.