Four decades later, an incident known as the Jabidah massacre, continues to haunt the Philippines.
No-one is sure how many trainee soldiers, most of them Muslims, died when a plan to attack the Malaysian state of Sabah leaked out and authorities moved to destroy the evidence.
Now pressure is growing on the government to account for the past, as Al Jazeera's Marga Ortigas reports.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Muslims remember Jabidah Massacre
Manila Bulletin, National News, Page 2, March 18, 2009
By Edd K. Usman
The Bangsamoro people, the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), many civil society organizations (CSOs) and other peace advocates will mark today the 41st year of the infamous Jabidah Massacre on Corregidor Island where 28 Moro trainees were killed by Marcos regime's Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Not one of the military officers said to be involved in the gruesome massacre of the Moro youth, said to be from 28 to 60 killed, was punished.
Assalam Bangsamoro People's Association (ABPA) president Pendatun Disimban said court-martial proceedings were held, a preliminary Supreme Court hearing was also done in 1970, but AFP officers Eduardo L. Martelino, Cirilo Oropesa, Teodoro Facelo, Ruperto Amisoto, Alberto Soteco, Solferino Titong, and others, escaped punishment.
"The case just vanished in thin air," the Assalam founding leader said.
In Metro Manila, commemoration will be done in Maharalika Village in Taguig City through a "Kanduri" or thanksgiving feast, while other Moro groups will sail to Corregidor Island for another activity related with the observance.
Pendatun said observances have been going on in Mindanao, such as in Davao City, Marawi City, Cotabato City, among others, in the days immediately leading to March 18, when on this night only Jibin Arula, then a young Tausug trainee, survived the massacre by jumping off a cliff on Corregidor Island, attaching to a drift wood and swimming, while wounded, to nearby Cavite.
"This is an infamous day that should not be forgotten by every freedom-loving human being, whether you are a Muslim, a Christian, a Hindu, or a pagan. Those who love peace and respect human rights, let us recall the Jabidah Massacre and help resolve it will never happen again," said Disimban.
Jabidah Massacre, which the then Sen. Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. exposed in the halls of Congress, led the then Prof. Nur Misuari to form the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), thus the radicalization of the Moro youth started.
It also sparked the Moro people's struggle for independence, due also to discrimination from the national government.
By Edd K. Usman
The Bangsamoro people, the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), many civil society organizations (CSOs) and other peace advocates will mark today the 41st year of the infamous Jabidah Massacre on Corregidor Island where 28 Moro trainees were killed by Marcos regime's Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Not one of the military officers said to be involved in the gruesome massacre of the Moro youth, said to be from 28 to 60 killed, was punished.
Assalam Bangsamoro People's Association (ABPA) president Pendatun Disimban said court-martial proceedings were held, a preliminary Supreme Court hearing was also done in 1970, but AFP officers Eduardo L. Martelino, Cirilo Oropesa, Teodoro Facelo, Ruperto Amisoto, Alberto Soteco, Solferino Titong, and others, escaped punishment.
"The case just vanished in thin air," the Assalam founding leader said.
In Metro Manila, commemoration will be done in Maharalika Village in Taguig City through a "Kanduri" or thanksgiving feast, while other Moro groups will sail to Corregidor Island for another activity related with the observance.
Pendatun said observances have been going on in Mindanao, such as in Davao City, Marawi City, Cotabato City, among others, in the days immediately leading to March 18, when on this night only Jibin Arula, then a young Tausug trainee, survived the massacre by jumping off a cliff on Corregidor Island, attaching to a drift wood and swimming, while wounded, to nearby Cavite.
"This is an infamous day that should not be forgotten by every freedom-loving human being, whether you are a Muslim, a Christian, a Hindu, or a pagan. Those who love peace and respect human rights, let us recall the Jabidah Massacre and help resolve it will never happen again," said Disimban.
Jabidah Massacre, which the then Sen. Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. exposed in the halls of Congress, led the then Prof. Nur Misuari to form the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), thus the radicalization of the Moro youth started.
It also sparked the Moro people's struggle for independence, due also to discrimination from the national government.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Germany grants P800 million for development of conflict areas in Mindanao
MANILA, Philippines - The government of Germany is extending to the Philippines P800 million in fresh funds under the Technical Cooperation Program (TCP) between the two countries, mainly for development and conflict resolution projects, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said yesterday.
The funds would be used to support the proposed Conflict Sensitive Resource and Management or COSERAM project that includes initiatives that would help develop conflict areas in Mindanao.
For this project, Germany is extending P430.78 million comprising of P400 million in new commitment and P30.77 million from reprogrammed funds.
The project, which will focus on the Caraga region in Mindanao, will provide participatory conflict analysis and would support grassroots conflict transformation initiatives with specific focus on resource-based conflicts.
Germany will also provide P107.69 million for the final phase of the Private Sector Promotion Program or SMEDSEP, an ongoing development project and P123.08 million for the final phase of the Decentralization Program.
Another ongoing project in conflict areas is the Environment and Rural Development Program wherein Germany would be providing P169.23 million.
The SMEDSEP’s final phase will focus on improving the business and investment climate models and ensuring their financial and institutional stability, as well as quality assurance; further strengthening to tie up the models of micro, small and medium enterprises policies and subsector policies; and supporting the national strategic orientations through public-private dialogue and regional-national strategic interactions.
The SMEDSEP’s final phase will start in September 2009 and end in August 2012.
The final phase of Decentralization Program will ensure sustainability of the local-level reform measures developed during the previous phase of the program. It will also scale up proven models and make them available to other local government units (LGUs) outside the program area as well as ensure the reforms integration into national systems.
The program will run until September 2012.
For these initiatives, NEDA officials and representatives of the Government of Germany recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU).
NEDA Deputy Director-General Rolando Tungpalan and Josef Füllenbach, head of Germany’s Southeast Asia Unit, Ministry for Economic Cooperation signed the MOU on behalf of the two countries.
The MOU is the result of bilateral discussions, wherein the two countries formalized agreements on new and ongoing programs under the TCP. (Iris C. Gonzales/ The Philippine Star /March 17, 2009)
The funds would be used to support the proposed Conflict Sensitive Resource and Management or COSERAM project that includes initiatives that would help develop conflict areas in Mindanao.
For this project, Germany is extending P430.78 million comprising of P400 million in new commitment and P30.77 million from reprogrammed funds.
The project, which will focus on the Caraga region in Mindanao, will provide participatory conflict analysis and would support grassroots conflict transformation initiatives with specific focus on resource-based conflicts.
Germany will also provide P107.69 million for the final phase of the Private Sector Promotion Program or SMEDSEP, an ongoing development project and P123.08 million for the final phase of the Decentralization Program.
Another ongoing project in conflict areas is the Environment and Rural Development Program wherein Germany would be providing P169.23 million.
The SMEDSEP’s final phase will focus on improving the business and investment climate models and ensuring their financial and institutional stability, as well as quality assurance; further strengthening to tie up the models of micro, small and medium enterprises policies and subsector policies; and supporting the national strategic orientations through public-private dialogue and regional-national strategic interactions.
The SMEDSEP’s final phase will start in September 2009 and end in August 2012.
The final phase of Decentralization Program will ensure sustainability of the local-level reform measures developed during the previous phase of the program. It will also scale up proven models and make them available to other local government units (LGUs) outside the program area as well as ensure the reforms integration into national systems.
The program will run until September 2012.
For these initiatives, NEDA officials and representatives of the Government of Germany recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU).
NEDA Deputy Director-General Rolando Tungpalan and Josef Füllenbach, head of Germany’s Southeast Asia Unit, Ministry for Economic Cooperation signed the MOU on behalf of the two countries.
The MOU is the result of bilateral discussions, wherein the two countries formalized agreements on new and ongoing programs under the TCP. (Iris C. Gonzales/ The Philippine Star /March 17, 2009)
Obama Calls Leaders of Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and the Philippines
President Obama phoned the leaders of Saudi Arabia, the Philippines, and Indonesia Friday for conversations the White House said touched on climate change, regional security and diplomacy, and strengthening of the global economy.
In his call to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono of Indonesia, the most populous Muslim nation, the leaders "discussed regional and international issues, including the President's commitment to a new and different kind of relationship with Islamic communities around the world," the White House said in a statement. Obama spent part of his early childhood in Indonesia.
His call to President Gloria Arroyo of the Philippines focused on "countering terrorism and modernizing the armed forces," the White House said. It also involved the "visiting forces agreement" that governs how U.S. forces based in the Philippines are allowed to operate.
Obama's call to King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia concerned the "the need to coordinate international efforts to restore economic growth" in advance of the G20 summit in London next month, the White House said. (The Washington Post / Scott Wilson - http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2009/03/13/obama_calls_leaders_of_indones.html?wprss=44)
In his call to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono of Indonesia, the most populous Muslim nation, the leaders "discussed regional and international issues, including the President's commitment to a new and different kind of relationship with Islamic communities around the world," the White House said in a statement. Obama spent part of his early childhood in Indonesia.
His call to President Gloria Arroyo of the Philippines focused on "countering terrorism and modernizing the armed forces," the White House said. It also involved the "visiting forces agreement" that governs how U.S. forces based in the Philippines are allowed to operate.
Obama's call to King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia concerned the "the need to coordinate international efforts to restore economic growth" in advance of the G20 summit in London next month, the White House said. (The Washington Post / Scott Wilson - http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2009/03/13/obama_calls_leaders_of_indones.html?wprss=44)
OIC Sec Gen's message for the 3rd session of the tripartite meeting in Manila
MESSAGE OF PROFESSOR EKMELEDDIN IHSANOGLU, SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE ORGANIZATION OF THE ISLAMIC CONFERENCE, TO THE THIRD SESSION OF THE TRIPARTITE MEETING BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES , THE ORGANIZATION OF THE ISLAMIC CONFERENCE, AND THE MORO NATIONAL LIBERATION FRONT.
MANILA, 11-13 MARCH, 2009.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It gives me great pleasure to address this honorable gathering of the Third Session of the Tripartite Meeting. We are all filled with hope that this meeting will achieve the aspired goal of reaching compromise solutions based on the concept of a full and comprehensive implementation of the 1996 Peace Agreement.
The five working groups have completed their work in Manila and presented their recommendations along with certain proposals and suggested solutions for a number of existing problems, and the gap between the two sides has been narrowed. The discussions were marked by a climate of frankness and openness. We do appreciate that the results of these meetings should form a stepping stone towards achieving decisive and fundamental results for a just and lasting solutions that will be definitive and acceptable to the Bangsamoro people who have been looking to us over so many years to help them achieve their aspiration for peace, security and development.
As you may recall, during the opening of the Tripartite Meeting in Jeddah as well as in Istanbul , I expressed my hope that these meetings would herald a good beginning and open great prospects for both sides to achieve prosperity and progress for the Bangsamoro people of southern Philippines . Let me repeat again that advancing the peace process will bring about security, prosperity, and development for all the Philippine people, and not just in the south.
I wish here to express my deep appreciation to the Government of the Philippines under the leadership of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for their laudable efforts in favour of the achievement of our common aspired goals. My deep appreciation also goes to the MNLF under the leadership of Prof. Nur Misuari, as well as to the Philippine Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the office of the Presidential Advisor for Peace in Southern Philippines .
I should also like to avail myself of this opportunity to express my thanks and appreciation for the efforts deployed, since the Tripartite Meeting in Jeddah under the able Chairmanship of Ambassador Rezlan and members of the OIC Committee for Peace in Southern Philippines, and for their valuable assistance to both sides thus far, to facilitate their mission throughout the proceedings of the working groups in Manila. I am fully confident that the present meeting will be a continuation of those contributions to ensure our success in the implementation of the Peace Agreement as an effective means to help towards the establishment of peace in the province of Mindanao in Southern Philippines .
Four years now has passed since the OIC Council of Foreign Minister (CFM) called for the convening of the Tripartite Talks, thirteen years after the signing of the Final Peace Agreement and thirty three years since the Tripoli agreement, that is a very long time by any standards, and a very long wait for the Bangsamoro people who put their confidence in their leaders and the promise of long awaited peace that we give them hope for a better life and a prosperous future.
So, we cannot allow this process to go on forever. We cannot continue to participate in a process that will give the people false hopes. We have to put a time frame for this process and a bench mark to measure its success or failure.
I would like to conclude by expressing the hope that I will have the pleasure to communicate to the leaders of the OIC Member States at their next meeting due to be held this coming month of May, in Damascus, Arab Republic of Syria, the results achieved in your meeting here today, as a continuation of the OIC dedicated efforts in contribution towards safeguarding peace and stability in the world.
Excellencies,
Allow me, once again, to assure you that we shall spare no effort in working to attain the desired objectives. I wish your deliberations total success and I pray to Almighty God that the work we are pursuing today will yield the fruits of peace, stability, and prosperity for the benefit of both present and future generations of the entire people of the Philippines .
Thank you for your attention.
Wassalamu Alaikum Warahmatullah Wabarakatuh.
MANILA, 11-13 MARCH, 2009.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It gives me great pleasure to address this honorable gathering of the Third Session of the Tripartite Meeting. We are all filled with hope that this meeting will achieve the aspired goal of reaching compromise solutions based on the concept of a full and comprehensive implementation of the 1996 Peace Agreement.
The five working groups have completed their work in Manila and presented their recommendations along with certain proposals and suggested solutions for a number of existing problems, and the gap between the two sides has been narrowed. The discussions were marked by a climate of frankness and openness. We do appreciate that the results of these meetings should form a stepping stone towards achieving decisive and fundamental results for a just and lasting solutions that will be definitive and acceptable to the Bangsamoro people who have been looking to us over so many years to help them achieve their aspiration for peace, security and development.
As you may recall, during the opening of the Tripartite Meeting in Jeddah as well as in Istanbul , I expressed my hope that these meetings would herald a good beginning and open great prospects for both sides to achieve prosperity and progress for the Bangsamoro people of southern Philippines . Let me repeat again that advancing the peace process will bring about security, prosperity, and development for all the Philippine people, and not just in the south.
I wish here to express my deep appreciation to the Government of the Philippines under the leadership of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for their laudable efforts in favour of the achievement of our common aspired goals. My deep appreciation also goes to the MNLF under the leadership of Prof. Nur Misuari, as well as to the Philippine Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the office of the Presidential Advisor for Peace in Southern Philippines .
I should also like to avail myself of this opportunity to express my thanks and appreciation for the efforts deployed, since the Tripartite Meeting in Jeddah under the able Chairmanship of Ambassador Rezlan and members of the OIC Committee for Peace in Southern Philippines, and for their valuable assistance to both sides thus far, to facilitate their mission throughout the proceedings of the working groups in Manila. I am fully confident that the present meeting will be a continuation of those contributions to ensure our success in the implementation of the Peace Agreement as an effective means to help towards the establishment of peace in the province of Mindanao in Southern Philippines .
Four years now has passed since the OIC Council of Foreign Minister (CFM) called for the convening of the Tripartite Talks, thirteen years after the signing of the Final Peace Agreement and thirty three years since the Tripoli agreement, that is a very long time by any standards, and a very long wait for the Bangsamoro people who put their confidence in their leaders and the promise of long awaited peace that we give them hope for a better life and a prosperous future.
So, we cannot allow this process to go on forever. We cannot continue to participate in a process that will give the people false hopes. We have to put a time frame for this process and a bench mark to measure its success or failure.
I would like to conclude by expressing the hope that I will have the pleasure to communicate to the leaders of the OIC Member States at their next meeting due to be held this coming month of May, in Damascus, Arab Republic of Syria, the results achieved in your meeting here today, as a continuation of the OIC dedicated efforts in contribution towards safeguarding peace and stability in the world.
Excellencies,
Allow me, once again, to assure you that we shall spare no effort in working to attain the desired objectives. I wish your deliberations total success and I pray to Almighty God that the work we are pursuing today will yield the fruits of peace, stability, and prosperity for the benefit of both present and future generations of the entire people of the Philippines .
Thank you for your attention.
Wassalamu Alaikum Warahmatullah Wabarakatuh.
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