DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/17 April) – The Inter-religious Solidarity Movement for Peace and Peace Advocates Zamboanga (PAZ) are urging the perpetrators of the Basilan attacks on April 13 to “choose the human way” as “violence and terrorism is the way of the savages, of impoverished, starved souls.”
This, as the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society (CBCS) said it is “shocked and saddened” over what happened but added that as they analyzed the incident, ”we came to a conclusion that this is not an issue between Muslims and Christians. Rather, it is an issue of who monster-minded it and what is the real motive.”
On April 13, at least 20 armed men disguised as military and police personnel and later alleged to be members of the Abu Sayyaf “struck treacherously and violently in the heart of Isabela City, shot innocent civilians and unready soldiers, killing as many as 15, reports say. They set and exploded bombs, including one that damaged the main Roman Catholic cathedral and wounded churchgoers,” the statement of the Inter-religious Solidarity Movement for Peace and PAZ said.
“This assault in a province plagued by a history of violence and impunity but reveals a further moral deterioration and depravity of the attackers. We condemn this senseless, evil act of barbarism and banditry. We appeal to authorities to take swift and appropriate action to catch and punish the culprits,” the groups said.
“We commiserate and condole with the families of those killed and wounded. We pray that the victims be accorded speedy justice as well as assistance to the victims and their families.. We appeal to their loved ones and the good people of Basilan to harness the ultimately triumphant power of justice in the land,” the statement read.
Addressing the attackers, the groups said: “your atrocities and killings and destruction of properties are irrational and counterproductive. Armed violence always sets back the only true, effective vehicle of human progress, which is a peaceful and democratic process where the citizens regardless of their creeds cooperate and work together for a better life for their families and communities.”
“This peaceful and democratic means, this struggle and journey of and in solidarity, is the way of the truly enlightened and humane; violence and terrorism is the way of the savages, of impoverished, starved souls. We appeal to your conscience to choose the human way instead, whose peaceful struggles test to the limits one’s faith and so enrich in many ways, yes even The materially in the end,” the groups added.
The statement also urged Basilan’s local government leaders “to exert extraordinary efforts to address and put to end the culture of violence and hatred in our midst.”
“Violence diminishes us all - by harnessing the culture of peace and love, of dialogue and journeying together, to reconcile and restore hope to the lost and fallen. This is what we mean when we say: Peace is in our hands, peace is the only way,” the groups added.
CBCS, in its statement calling for sobriety and unity on the crisis in Isabela City, said that as it vehemently condemned “whoever the perpetrators are,” it is also calling on “our political leaders to unite and sit together to address and resolve the Isabela City crisis through peaceful means. We likewise call on the Muslim and Christian populace and their spiritual leaders to share their part in maintaining our peaceful co-existence in our province for the safety and security of the Basileño.”
“As we sympathize with the parents and relatives of the victims of the tragedy, we urge the government to conduct an immediate and impartial investigation to identify the culprits and let the rule of law govern over them,” adding that the group found it “shocking, frightening, and alarming that this happened at the height of our campaign for a Clean, Honest, Accurate, Meaningful and Peaceful (CHAMP) elections towards good governance and responsible leadership.” (MindaNews)
Monday, April 19, 2010
Saturday, April 17, 2010
A CALL FOR SOBRIETY AND UNITY ON THE ISABELA CITY CRISIS
Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society
E-mail: secretariat@cbcsi.org
A CALL FOR SOBRIETY AND UNITY ON THE ISABELA CITY CRISIS
We are shocked and saddened by the Isabela City crisis that took place on April 13, 2010. As we analyzed the incident, we came to a conclusion that this is not an issue between Muslims and Christians. Rather, it is an issue of who monster-minded it and what is the real motive.
As we vehemently condemn whoever the perpetrators are, we call on our political leaders to unite and sit together to address and resolve the Isabela City crisis through peaceful means. We likewise call on the Muslim and Christian populace and their spiritual leaders to share their part in maintaining our peaceful co-existence in our province for the safety and security of the Basileño.
As we sympathize with the parents and relatives of the victims of the tragedy, we urge the government to conduct an immediate and impartial investigation to identify the culprits and let the rule of law govern over them.
We find it shocking, frightening, and alarming that this happened at the height of our campaign for a Clean, Honest, Accurate, Meaningful and Peaceful (CHAMP) elections towards good governance and responsible leadership.
Signed and adopted in Zamboanga City this 15th day of April 2010.
CBCS Basilan Regional Management Committee
Chair: Nathan Insung
Members:
Damona C. Sadjail
Mistiri A. Tarami
Muhti H. Abdulla
Arthur D. Baul
CBCS Samboangan (Zamboanga) Regional Management Committee
Chair: Munib A. Kahal
Members:
Meriam G. Abba
Persing A. Dangkahan
Ailarahma A. Taupan
CBCS Lupah Sug (Sulu) Regional Management Committee
Chair: Vandrazel M. Birowa
Members:
Edmund C. Gumbahali
Jocelyn A. Basaluddin
Berkis A. Basaluddin
Nur-in M. Hapas
Farida A. Hadjulani
Hadzer M. Birowa
Zoraida Gumbahali
CBCS National Secretariat
Secretary General: Sammy P. Maulana
Project Staff: Mohammad Omar
E-mail: secretariat@cbcsi.org
A CALL FOR SOBRIETY AND UNITY ON THE ISABELA CITY CRISIS
We are shocked and saddened by the Isabela City crisis that took place on April 13, 2010. As we analyzed the incident, we came to a conclusion that this is not an issue between Muslims and Christians. Rather, it is an issue of who monster-minded it and what is the real motive.
As we vehemently condemn whoever the perpetrators are, we call on our political leaders to unite and sit together to address and resolve the Isabela City crisis through peaceful means. We likewise call on the Muslim and Christian populace and their spiritual leaders to share their part in maintaining our peaceful co-existence in our province for the safety and security of the Basileño.
As we sympathize with the parents and relatives of the victims of the tragedy, we urge the government to conduct an immediate and impartial investigation to identify the culprits and let the rule of law govern over them.
We find it shocking, frightening, and alarming that this happened at the height of our campaign for a Clean, Honest, Accurate, Meaningful and Peaceful (CHAMP) elections towards good governance and responsible leadership.
Signed and adopted in Zamboanga City this 15th day of April 2010.
CBCS Basilan Regional Management Committee
Chair: Nathan Insung
Members:
Damona C. Sadjail
Mistiri A. Tarami
Muhti H. Abdulla
Arthur D. Baul
CBCS Samboangan (Zamboanga) Regional Management Committee
Chair: Munib A. Kahal
Members:
Meriam G. Abba
Persing A. Dangkahan
Ailarahma A. Taupan
CBCS Lupah Sug (Sulu) Regional Management Committee
Chair: Vandrazel M. Birowa
Members:
Edmund C. Gumbahali
Jocelyn A. Basaluddin
Berkis A. Basaluddin
Nur-in M. Hapas
Farida A. Hadjulani
Hadzer M. Birowa
Zoraida Gumbahali
CBCS National Secretariat
Secretary General: Sammy P. Maulana
Project Staff: Mohammad Omar
Thursday, April 15, 2010
(Human Rights Watch) Philippines: Candidates Should Propose Plans to End Killings
Perpetrators of Political Violence Remain at Large
April 15, 2010
(New York) - Philippine presidential candidates should make ending impunity for extrajudicial killings central to their platforms ahead of the May 2010 general elections, Human Rights Watch said today.
Recent unsolved killings of regional and local candidates, party activists, and relatives of witnesses raise concerns that perpetrators are emboldened by the Arroyo administration's failure to hold those responsible to account. Human Rights Watch urged presidential candidates to tell the public the concrete steps they will take to stop killings, prosecute perpetrators, and protect witnesses during their first 100 days in office.
"Presidential candidates should explain how they will put an end to the scourge of killings that has so discredited the Arroyo government," said Elaine Pearson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch. "Bare condemnation of killings is not enough - the country needs to see a commitment to action."
There have been numerous apparently politically motivated killings in the lead up to the elections, scheduled for May 10, in which the authorities have been slow to respond.
On April 6, unidentified men fatally stabbed and shot Mohamadisa Simpal Sangki, 51, in front of the Cotabato City Plaza on the island of Mindanao. Mohamadisa was the brother of Ampatuan town mayor Zacaria Sangki and uncle of Ampatuan Vice Mayor Rasul Sangki. Both had testified against Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., the principal suspect in the November 2009 Maguindanao massacre, which left at least 57 dead, including relatives and supporters of a candidate for provincial governor and media personnel. At least two people connected to the Sangki family had earlier been shot and killed. Additionally, in February, the brother of a suspect-turned-witness, police officer Rainier Ebus, was shot multiple times in Datu Piang in Maguindanao and severely wounded.
These killings remain under investigation by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and local police. A CIDG spokesperson confirmed that the Sangki family and families of other witnesses are experiencing harassment that is most likely related to the witnesses testifying in court. He told Human Rights Watch, "So far, no witnesses will give statements." Investigators are waiting for witnesses to come forward with signed statements, instead of proceeding with the investigations based on all available information.
"The authorities need to demonstrate to witnesses that they can and will protect them and their families," Pearson said. "Lacking signed statements is a sorry excuse for not investigating a criminal offense."
Local candidates and party activists have also been the targets of attacks. On March 24, unidentified armed men abducted two Bantay party-list campaigners, Juliana Noquera and Ronald Miranda, in Davao City. Their bodies were found, separately, in the days following. Davao City Police told Human Rights Watch that the investigation is ongoing.
According to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), between January 10, when the official election period began, and April 14, it has received 71 reports of violent incidents targeting elected officials and candidates, involving 86 victims. Thirty-eight people have been killed. The CIDG public information officer, Felix Vargas, told Human Rights Watch that suspects include "guns for hire," political opponents, and members of paramilitary forces. To date, one suspect has been charged, eight suspects have been cleared, and investigations are continuing in the remainder of the cases. Vargas said that to date, no candidates for office have been interviewed during investigations as it is difficult to link them to the crime.
During the administration of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, hundreds of political party members, human rights activists, journalists, and outspoken clergy have been killed or forcibly disappeared in apparently politically motivated attacks. Human Rights Watch investigations into the so-called Davao Death Squads have revealed the involvement over several years of local police officers and officials in killing alleged petty criminals, drug dealers, gang members, and street children in Davao city.
Despite a reduction in killings since 2007, attributed to international and local pressure, the killings continue. While Arroyo has announced numerous initiatives to address those abuses, there has been no real progress in bringing those responsible to justice, Human Rights Watch said. Reforms have largely been symbolic while genuine structural reforms recommended by United Nations bodies, human rights organizations, and even the government's own Melo Commission have been ignored.
Of the hundreds of killings and enforced disappearances of leftist activists since 2001, Human Rights Watch knows of only six cases that have been successfully prosecuted, resulting in the conviction of 11 suspects. Although the military has been implicated in many of the crimes, none of those convicted were active military personnel at the time of the killing.
A multi-agency task force that includes the Commission on Human Rights, police, army, and other government agencies has been investigating death squad killings in Davao City since June 2009. But Human Rights Watch found that the task force has faced a series of unnecessary judicial delays and obstacles in its investigations. Human Rights Watch is not aware of any successful prosecutions of those responsible for death squad killings.
Human Rights Watch urged presidential candidates to provide a comprehensive action plan to end impunity for extrajudicial and death squad killings and for enforced disappearances. Only one presidential candidate has promised to implement the recommendations of Philip Alston, the UN Special Rapporteur for Extrajudicial Executions.
Human Rights Watch said that presidential candidates should explain what measures they will take to enable witnesses to testify safely, for example by using videotaped testimony, closed courtrooms, or depositions, and to create mechanisms for witnesses to and transfer their places of residence, including to other provinces, prior to and if necessary after trial. Candidates should also support open hotlines to receive anonymous information on abuses perpetrated by local government officials, security forces, and state-backed militia members.
"Even continued killings have not prompted presidential candidates to propose urgently needed reforms," Pearson said. "This election period should be an important moment to get the Philippines back on track toward respecting basic rights."
Source: http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2010/04/15/philippines-candidates-should-propose-plans-end-killings
April 15, 2010
(New York) - Philippine presidential candidates should make ending impunity for extrajudicial killings central to their platforms ahead of the May 2010 general elections, Human Rights Watch said today.
Recent unsolved killings of regional and local candidates, party activists, and relatives of witnesses raise concerns that perpetrators are emboldened by the Arroyo administration's failure to hold those responsible to account. Human Rights Watch urged presidential candidates to tell the public the concrete steps they will take to stop killings, prosecute perpetrators, and protect witnesses during their first 100 days in office.
"Presidential candidates should explain how they will put an end to the scourge of killings that has so discredited the Arroyo government," said Elaine Pearson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch. "Bare condemnation of killings is not enough - the country needs to see a commitment to action."
There have been numerous apparently politically motivated killings in the lead up to the elections, scheduled for May 10, in which the authorities have been slow to respond.
On April 6, unidentified men fatally stabbed and shot Mohamadisa Simpal Sangki, 51, in front of the Cotabato City Plaza on the island of Mindanao. Mohamadisa was the brother of Ampatuan town mayor Zacaria Sangki and uncle of Ampatuan Vice Mayor Rasul Sangki. Both had testified against Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., the principal suspect in the November 2009 Maguindanao massacre, which left at least 57 dead, including relatives and supporters of a candidate for provincial governor and media personnel. At least two people connected to the Sangki family had earlier been shot and killed. Additionally, in February, the brother of a suspect-turned-witness, police officer Rainier Ebus, was shot multiple times in Datu Piang in Maguindanao and severely wounded.
These killings remain under investigation by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and local police. A CIDG spokesperson confirmed that the Sangki family and families of other witnesses are experiencing harassment that is most likely related to the witnesses testifying in court. He told Human Rights Watch, "So far, no witnesses will give statements." Investigators are waiting for witnesses to come forward with signed statements, instead of proceeding with the investigations based on all available information.
"The authorities need to demonstrate to witnesses that they can and will protect them and their families," Pearson said. "Lacking signed statements is a sorry excuse for not investigating a criminal offense."
Local candidates and party activists have also been the targets of attacks. On March 24, unidentified armed men abducted two Bantay party-list campaigners, Juliana Noquera and Ronald Miranda, in Davao City. Their bodies were found, separately, in the days following. Davao City Police told Human Rights Watch that the investigation is ongoing.
According to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), between January 10, when the official election period began, and April 14, it has received 71 reports of violent incidents targeting elected officials and candidates, involving 86 victims. Thirty-eight people have been killed. The CIDG public information officer, Felix Vargas, told Human Rights Watch that suspects include "guns for hire," political opponents, and members of paramilitary forces. To date, one suspect has been charged, eight suspects have been cleared, and investigations are continuing in the remainder of the cases. Vargas said that to date, no candidates for office have been interviewed during investigations as it is difficult to link them to the crime.
During the administration of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, hundreds of political party members, human rights activists, journalists, and outspoken clergy have been killed or forcibly disappeared in apparently politically motivated attacks. Human Rights Watch investigations into the so-called Davao Death Squads have revealed the involvement over several years of local police officers and officials in killing alleged petty criminals, drug dealers, gang members, and street children in Davao city.
Despite a reduction in killings since 2007, attributed to international and local pressure, the killings continue. While Arroyo has announced numerous initiatives to address those abuses, there has been no real progress in bringing those responsible to justice, Human Rights Watch said. Reforms have largely been symbolic while genuine structural reforms recommended by United Nations bodies, human rights organizations, and even the government's own Melo Commission have been ignored.
Of the hundreds of killings and enforced disappearances of leftist activists since 2001, Human Rights Watch knows of only six cases that have been successfully prosecuted, resulting in the conviction of 11 suspects. Although the military has been implicated in many of the crimes, none of those convicted were active military personnel at the time of the killing.
A multi-agency task force that includes the Commission on Human Rights, police, army, and other government agencies has been investigating death squad killings in Davao City since June 2009. But Human Rights Watch found that the task force has faced a series of unnecessary judicial delays and obstacles in its investigations. Human Rights Watch is not aware of any successful prosecutions of those responsible for death squad killings.
Human Rights Watch urged presidential candidates to provide a comprehensive action plan to end impunity for extrajudicial and death squad killings and for enforced disappearances. Only one presidential candidate has promised to implement the recommendations of Philip Alston, the UN Special Rapporteur for Extrajudicial Executions.
Human Rights Watch said that presidential candidates should explain what measures they will take to enable witnesses to testify safely, for example by using videotaped testimony, closed courtrooms, or depositions, and to create mechanisms for witnesses to and transfer their places of residence, including to other provinces, prior to and if necessary after trial. Candidates should also support open hotlines to receive anonymous information on abuses perpetrated by local government officials, security forces, and state-backed militia members.
"Even continued killings have not prompted presidential candidates to propose urgently needed reforms," Pearson said. "This election period should be an important moment to get the Philippines back on track toward respecting basic rights."
Source: http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2010/04/15/philippines-candidates-should-propose-plans-end-killings
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