Statement of Bangsamoro Youth Leaders Forum

In the Name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Bangsamoro Youth Leaders Forum
Cotabato City
July 10, 2009


STOP THE BOMPINGS AND OTHER ATROCITIES AGAINST CIVILIANS

The Bangsamoro Youth Leaders Forum (BMYLF), the broadest coalition of Moro youth organizations in Mindanao strongly condemns the recent series of bombings in Datu Piang, Maguindanao, Cotabato City, Iligan City and Jolo, Sulu that killed 12 persons and injured almost hundred of innocent civilians.

The BMYLF expresses its sympathy and condolence to the families of the victims of these atrocities even as we pray for the immediate recovery of the injured civilians. These incidents can only be a handiwork of individuals or groups with evil motives to create chaos that foment further animosities between Muslim and Christians to serve their own selfish agenda.

Indeed, the BMYLF is aghast and abhors these forms of carnage as it is alarmed by the escalation of violence in Mindanao and the growing number of civilian casualties and displaced persons. The BMYLF wonders if these incidents are not part and parcel of the recently disclosed document “Operation August Moon”. The results of these hostilities are more than enough to prove that resorting to violence will never be the solution of the aged-old problem of Mindanao.

It is with these premises that the BMYLF make the following urgent calls to all concerned particularly the Government of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to wit:

1. Stop the war;
2. Immediately resume the peace talks between the MILF and the GRP;
3. Re-activate the Joint Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities, Ceasefire Mechanism and Ad Hoc joint Action Group.
4. For the AFP and MILF-BIAF to respect and adhere to the principles of International Humanitarian Law, Geneva Conventions 1-1V and Protocols 1-II
5. Immediately form Independent Fact Finding Committee to conduct an in-depth investigation of the recent bombings and hostilities in Mindanao; and
6. Appeal to the international community particularly the European Union (EU) and Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) to help push through the peace process in Mindanao in order to arrive at a final political settlement.

Finally, the BMYLF further reiterates that the conflict in Mindanao can only be resolved through dialogue and calls upon all parties to act with utmost restraint and jointly work for a lasting solution to the Bangsamoro problem.

SAVE THE INNOCENT CIVILIANS!


Reference:

RAHIB PAYAPAT
Spokesperson
Contact number: 09161273835