Diverse women’s organizations and peace advocates in the Philippines send letter to United Nation Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on armed conflict between the government forces and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels

Letter calls UN Secretary-General to bring the GRP and MILF back to the peace negotiation table as soon as possible. It also calls the UN to demand both parties to honour their obligation under Security Council Resolution 1325 which is to ensure women's equal and fair participation in peace processes and ensure the protection of women and children who are the most vulnerable in armed conflict

The women’s organizations and peace advocates issued the following letter to the UN Secretary-General about the armed conflict in Southern Philippines:

August 29, 2008

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
UN Headquarters
New York, USA
Tel: 212 963 5012; Fax: 212 963 4879
Email: sgcentral@un.org

Subject: armed conflict in Southern Philippines

Dear Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon,

We would like to express utmost concern about the recent breakout of violence in Southern Philippines (parts of Mindanao island) following the issuance of a temporary restraining order against the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain by the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on August 4, 2008.

Fifty (50) people, most of whom are civilians, have been killed and some 220,000 have been displaced by the recent attacks in Lanao and North Cotabato provinces.

While we believe that MILF units that targeted villages have engaged in serious violations of international law and should be held accountable, we are also seriously concerned about the formation of armed militia units with support from the Department of Interior and Local Government.

The setting up of armed groups will not protect civilians as some local government officials believe. Rather, it will lead to more chaos, insecurity and division among local communities. The protection of civilians is the responsibility of the State and its security sector such as the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police.

We thank you for your statement of August 13th where you expressed concern about the unfolding humanitarian crisis and appealed for restraint, protection of all civilians as well as access for the provision of speedy humanitarian assistance to the affected population.

We now call on your office to bring the government of the Republic of the Philippines and MILF back to the peace negotiation table as soon as possible. We also call on you to demand both parties to honor their obligation under Security Council Resolution 1325 which is to ensure women's equal and fair participation in peace processes and ensure the protection of women and children who are the most vulnerable in armed conflict situations.

Yours sincerely,

Center for Peace Education, Miriam College
Katungod Han Samareña Foundation, Inc. (Rights of Samar Women)
Mindanao Commission on Women
Mindanao Peoples' Peace Movement
Mindanao Tri-People Women
Mindanao Young Women Leaders Forum
Mothers for Peace
Muslim Women Peace Advocates
Peace Education Network, Philippines
Philippine Action Network on Small Arms
Philippine Campaign against Cluster Munitions
Philippine Council for Islam and Democracy
Political Caucus of Women Leaders in Mindanao
Women's Crisis Center Manila

Individual signatories:
Abdulbasit R. Benito, Bangsamoro Center for Just Peace Inc., Philippines
Antoinette Brem, Switzerland
Barbara Lehner, Switzerland
Bianca Miglioretto, Switzerland
Chan lean heng, Science University of Malaysia
Dr. Jan Marie Fritz (USA)
Dr. Susana Salavador-Anayatin, Graduate Schools of Notre Dame University and Mindanao State
University, Philippines
Benedicto Q. Sánchez, Broad Initiatives for Negros Development, Philippines
Elvie Villarido-Manaytay, The Zamaboanga Sibugay Tribune, Philippines
Franciska Keller, Switzerland
Jane Prichard, Convenor Pacific Women's Watch, Inc, New Zealand
Katja Schurter, Switzerland
Lourdes Portus, University of the Philippines
Llili Bienz, Switzerland
Nathan Gilbert Quimpo, University of Tsukuba
Sebastian Becker, Germany

With endorsements from
AMARC Women's International Network
Asian Circle 1325
Boston Consortium on Gender, Security and Human Rights
Center for Women's Global Leadership
Central American Secretariat, Zurich, Switzerland
Comunica-ch, the Swiss Platform on the Information Society
Femlink Pacific
Hague Appeal for Peace
International Presentation Association Sisters of the Presentation (USA)
International Women's Tribune Centre
Isis International
JC International English School Nepal
Liberia Women Media Action Committee
Peace Boat US
Peace-communication.eu - Germany
Radio LoRa (Zurich, Switzerland)
Sri Lanka Women and Media Collective
Women Action for New Directions (USA)
Women for Justice in Africa (Kenya)
Women for Peace (Switzerland)

Cc:
· The president of the UN General Assembly
· Members of the UN Security Council; the Philippine mission to the UN; the following country missions to the UN: Australia, Brunei, Canada, Japan, Libya, Malaysia, Norway, Sweden, USA
· The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs and the embassies of Australia, Brunei, Canada, Japan, Libya, Malaysia, Norway, Sweden, and USA in Manila
· World Bank - The World Bank and Civil Society; World Bank Philippines, Washington DC Office

FEATURE

Fast So We Can be Full
By Samira Gutoc

There's a bigger battle coming. And it's a warzone without fences. Inside the hearts of millions of Muslim adults and teenagers the world over, this coming Holy Month of Fast, when they have to fight hunger and temptation, starting September 1.

Amidst all the chaos and uncertainty that the country is experiencing, there is no stopping the observance of the Holy Month of Ramadhan. Thirty days of no food, water, sex twelve hours in the daytime is mind-boggling to some. But to Muslims, it is made more meaningful this year, because they experience the suffering of thousands of evacuees in the South, Muslims and Christians alike, who are running away from armed hostilities since the imposition of a TRO on a territorial deal between Moro rebels and the government.

Fasting is one of the five pillars in Islam (aside from prayer, charity, pilgrimage to Mecca and Declaring There is One God but Allah but Muhammad is His Messanger) observed during Ramadhan. Ramadhan is the ninth month in the Islamic Lunar year and is the month when the Holy Q’uran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad and therefore is considered to be a period of spiritual glory. During this month, Muslims strive to be pure inside and out- in thoughts, words and in deeds- by fasting and conducting special rituals.

In the Philippines and even in other countries like Malaysia and Indonesia, Ramadhan is a time for merry-making and gift-giving. Just like in the Christmas season of the Christians, there are a lot of activities being conducted in light of the celebration. There are contests and festivities during the night (such that daytime is the time for fasting) which includes fireworks display and food feasts. At the end of the month, Muslims have to give charity to the poor.

Truly, Ramadhan is instrumental in forging peace between those who are in conflict. It provides a time to reflect upon our past and our present. It is the time when people from different walks of life - young, old, rich, poor, men and women - are gathered together in a moment of joy and happiness and spiritual realization. It is a time when understanding is given a chance to create trailblazers towards peace and prosperity.

This is a time to share cultures through art, music and drama. Performing groups can do shows and concerts for the public. One young Moro guy is performing tomorrow evening at the Music Museum to promote peace amidst the Southern crisis. Khomenei, a Maguindanao pop artist and look-alike of Rustom Padilla, is fast creating a niche as a performer in Muslim-majority circles, especially the young.

This Ramadhan, there can be cultural shows and exchanges that would showcase the colorful and exquisite art of dance and music of the Maranao, Maguindanao, Tausug, Yakan, Iranun and other Muslim cultural groups in the Philippines. Through this, we open the way to reminding the youth of today about their roots and their wonderful culture thereby countering strong Western pop influence. We make them appreciate the wonders and mystique of the Mindanao Muslim culture and we invite them to preserve this culture.

Moreover, concerts can be held to showcase Muslim-rooted artists like Bamboo and Jamer of Slapshock and all the local artists who are gaining ground in incorporating local Muslim dialects in modern music. Through this, we are creating inspiration for the youth, sending them a message that Muslims can be as great if not greater than the rest of the people in the world.

It is true that fasting is not the total solution to the problems that we face today. But it cannot be denied likewise that through sacrifice , we contribute to achieving our noble aspirations as part of a nation of believers in One Mighty God, by being governors of ourselves first. This one month of hunger eventually builds the path towards loving others , a society based on sharing, making a peace for a lifetime.

Government agencies gear up for possible escalation of conflict in Zamboanga

Four faces of conflict in southern Philippines. Some of the 270,000 residents in Central Mindanao that were displaced by armed conflict between government and MILF forces.

Amidst a volatile situation in Central Mindanao brought about by armed conflict between government troops and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels, the Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC) IX has mapped up preparation and response for the possible upsurge of evacuees in the region.

Top officials of RDCC in Region 9 met in the city yesterday with thirty-five heads of the different government line agencies who are members of the council for a regional cluster preparedness and response planning workshop.

Disaster coordinating council Director Adriano Fuego of Region 9 said the RDCC is preparing for the rise of internally displaced persons due to the situation in Cotabato and Lanao that might escalate in Zamboanga Peninsula.

"So we are preparing what are their (IDPs) needs and more or less we're assessing, determining their needs because we have scenario on the basis of population of three provinces," he told reporters in an interview.

In the event of massive evacuation, disaster or other large-scale emergency, Fuego added that the RDCC and its members will provide a coordinated, comprehensive response and mount a swift and effective action for IDPs.

Asked how high the possibility that the conflict in Central Mindanao will escalate in Western Mindanao, he replied: "When we plan, we based on a worse case scenario and then the worse scenario is it could really come to Region 9."

According to Fuego, the reported sighting and presence of armed men in coastal villages of Zamboanga plus the persisting threats from other group (Abu Sayyaf) are indicators that the region is vulnerable to that kind of situation.

"We are more prone to human-made conflict than the natural disaster so it's hard to control and stop it," he said. "That's why we have the so-called cluster approach to response to it."

As of press time, the number of evacuees in Mindanao, particularly in North Cotabato, Lanao del Norte, and Maguindanao displaced by fighting between government and MILF forces has reportedly reached to more than 270,000.

MILF accuses AFP of imposing food blockade

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels on Monday accused the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) of operating a food blockade and causing a man-made hunger and various diseases among thousands of evacuees in Central Mindanao.

Luwaran.com reported that tens of thousands of internally displaced persons continue to suffer for lack of food and medicines in the battle zones of Maguindanao and Sarangani as the AFP ordered a blockade of food and medicines since Sunday.

"People are hungry and children are suffering from various illnesses inside combat zones especially in Datu Saudi Ampatuan complex where fierce fighting has been taking place for days already," the MILF's official website said.

It said the AFP is using excessive military force including use of howitzers, OV-10 planes, helicopter gunships in an attempt to dislodge thousands of MILF mujahideens, who use telescopic single-shot .50 cal. rifle against soldiers.

Many of the government casualties died of shots in the forehead, even as one military helicopter was shot down and that the helicopter was burning above the fighting zone in Maasim and crashed few minutes later in the mountains near General Santos City.

Sources inside the war zones in Maguindanao and Sarangani said that even non-government organizations (NGOs) which were trying to bring food and medicines to thousands of families still inside war zones were not allowed by the military inside.

"There is a humanitarian crisis in Maguindanao now and people will die if no food and medicines reach these evacuees whose houses were either burnt or destroyed by indiscriminate shelling and bombings by military forces for days," the report also said.

"The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the United Nations World Food Programme (UNWFP), and other international aid agencies must intervene now or people will die of hunger or by government bombs or bullets," it added.

The food blockade is being clamped by the military along the Mindanao River and the Cotabato-General Santos City Highway and all roads leading to the Datu Saudi Ampatuan Complex in Maguindanao and Palimbang-General Santos City in Maasim in Sarangani.

The military want the MILF mujahideens starved but it is hitting the civilians instead, according to Luwaran.com website.

Eid Kabalu, headf of the MILF's military civil affairs, in a text message, confirmed that a restriction on the entry of NGO, civic and even society groups into the areas affected by the conflict is being imposed by government forces. He did not give further details.

Meanwhile, government troops clashed with the MILF Lanao del Sur Sunday morning, leaving at least two soldiers and 16 rebels dead, the military said.

Army Major Eugene Batara, Western Mindanao Command spokesman, said operating troops of the 35th Infantry Battalion encountered about 40 fully armed MILF rebels at Barangay Nunungan, Poona Piago town.

Batara said troops cleared with artillery and air strikes the camp of rebels who occupied four layers of defensive position. He added the rebels are believed to be the advance guard of Kumander Bravo.

According to Batara, the AFP and PNP had restored normalcy and confidence of the populace along the main highways and the coastal towns of Lanao del Norte after the rebels withdrew from their position.

"Ferry boat services and land transport operations had been restored. Majority of the evacuees from Kauswagan, Kolambugan and other towns of LDN have returned to their villages," he said.

As confirmed by signal and human intelligence, Batara said troops overran the satellite camps of 102nd Base Command under Commander Bravo, including that of Kumander Ismail Desumalong aka Ultimax of the MILF's 7th Brigade, in Barangay Nunungan, Poona Piago and Matunggao towns inflicting several casualties on the rebels.

13 soldiers killed in Saranggani – MILF

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) said on Sunday it had killed thirteen soldiers who attacked in a volatile area in Saranggani Province.

Luwaran.com reported 13 soldiers died after they attacked the 107th Base Command – Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) at Barangay Pananag, Maasim town.

The Armed Force of the Philippines (AFP) casualty figure was taken from a source privy to where the dead soldiers were brought, the MILF's official website said.

According to the MILF source of information, an ambulance was used to transport the slain and wounded soldiers.

"The soldiers thought that they were brought or deployed in Mindanao purposely to help in maintaining secured, orderly, honest and peaceful ARMM elections," it said.

"This was the mission the young soldiers told their families that they left and not for any combat operation against the MILF forces."

The past days AFP had been hunting down some elements of the 105th Base Command in the Province, who allegedly attacked the military in Maasim last week, the MILF said.

"Instead of engaging the elements of the 105th Base Command, the military attacked the forces of the 107th Base Command manning the Post 1 of their Camp Khalid Bin Walid at Pananag," it said.

Kumander Umbra Kato, who has a P5 million bounty on his head for leading the attack in 15 villages in North Cotabato early this month, heads the 105th Base Command of the MILF.

The military, on the other hand, denied that 13 of their troops were killed in the attack, according to a military report reaching here.

The report quoted Armed Forces spokesman Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres as saying that four soldiers were wounded in the offensive.

The MILF said Saturday's firefight forced hundreds of civilians from the villages of Pananag, Lumasal, Kanolo and Nomoh, all of Maasim town, to flee their homes.

It said the residents sought assistance from Gov. Miguel Dominguez who was reported to have fueled the military cleansing operations against the MILF.

As this developed, the MILF asked the United Nations to intervene and stop an "impending humanitarian disaster."

It said non-government and humanitarian organizations such as the International Community of Red Cross, Non-Violence Peace Force, Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society, Bantay Ceasefire, United Bangsamoro Youth Organizations have made efforts to extricate the trapped civilians.

"This traumatic case is a serious infringement of human rights, International Humanitarian Law, Geneva Conventions Protocol II and can spur communal and ethnic conflicts between Muslims and Christians, a humanitarian crisis created by the state and government," the MILF said.

"A United Nations mandated intervention is sought to come in order to an impending humanitarian disaster," it added.

9 people hurt in Zamboanga grenade attack

Bomb squad of the Task Force Zamboanga and the Zamboanga City Police Office look over the blast site near Marcian Business Hotel, along Climaco Avenue, Zamboanga City.

At least nine people were injured when a fragmentation grenade exploded near a hotel in downtown this city Wednesday night.

The grenade blast, just in front of Marcian Business Hotel along Climaco Avenue, came as fear of fresh rebel attack continued to grip in different parts of Mindanao.

Authorities said the grenade attack took place at around 6:30 p.m. in front of Marcian Business Hotel along Climaco Avenue.

The victims include passengers of a motorized tricycle and a motorcycle as well as passersby rushing home when the incident took place.

Police reported the explosion was apparently caused by an MK2 hand grenade, where its safety lever was recovered 20 meters away from the place of the incident.

Zamboanga City Police Office director Senior Supt. Lurimer Detran said that one of three men riding tandem in a motorcycle lobbed a hand grenade in front of the hotel.

Army Colonel Santiago Baluyot, commander of the Task Force Zamboanga, said two men riding in tandem on motorcycle tossed a grenade into a busy street.

The blast injured Roy Bornales, a security guard; and passersby Bernardo Bago; Geordani Ancheta, Christian Emperial, Halima Jumaani, and Shermaliim Abdulla.

No immediate names of four other casualties as of posting time. But authorities said the blast victims sustained minor injuries and have been declared out of danger.

Supt. Jose Bayani Gucela, police regional spokesman, said an MK2 fragmentation grenade was used in the attack.

"This kind of atrocity or act can be done by an organized criminal," he said.

Last week, the headquarters of the local police force was also attacked, although no one was hurt in the grenade blast.

But Gucela said the motive of last week's grenade blast was a grudge. He did not elaborate.

Police have also recovered August 15 a fragmentation grenade inside a local cinema after it failed to explode.

Mayor Celso Lobregat condemned the latest grenade attack, describing it as barbaric act done by people who want to create confusion, instill fear and sow terror.

The mayor, one of staunch critics of Moro Islamic Liberation Front, is opposed to the GRP-MILF Memorandum of Agreement, which seeks to expand the territory and powers of ARMM.

Under the agreement, some villages of Zamboanga City are proposed to be included in the expanded Muslim homeland.

Abu Sayyaf militants tied to al-Qaeda terror network have previously attacked Zamboanga City. It was not immediately known if the group was connected to the latest attack.

In May, a homemade bomb explosion ripped through a two-storey building near a military base in Zamboanga City killing three people and wounding more than a dozen others.

Authorities blamed the MILF for the bombing.

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Aftermath of MILF attack in Lanao del Norte

Soldiers step up security measures by inspecting passengers in the checkpoint after Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels attacked Lanao del Norte.

MILF attacks in Lanao del Norte spark Kolambugan non-Muslims anger

Aftermath of attack by Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels in Kolambugan town in Lanao del Norte on Monday.

The incident in Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte and its neighboring municipalities last Monday sparked widespread anger and unease among residents there against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels.

"This (attack) is very hurting to us. We don't deserve this because if they're revolting against the government, they should not involved civilians," said a villager, displaced by fighting between soldiers and rebels in Kolambugan town.

The man, however, said he believes that "negotiation not war" can resolve the conflict in his place. "Our place will only become peaceful through negotiation and not war wherein, we, civilians are sacrificed."

Another villager expressed his sentiments, saying that they do not deserve what had happened in their peaceful community. "We have been living very well together with our Muslim brothers and sisters, but the rebels disturb this."

He called on the authorities for the increase of security measures in their village to deal the rebels. "They (rebels) are just hiding and can carry out another attack anytime," according to him.

For Kolambugan town mayor Beltran Lamague, the attack by suspected rebels on his municipality was so unfortunate and hurting because Muslims and Christians there coexist in harmony and live together in peace. He did not elaborate more.

But in the nearby area of his town, a wooden placard with markings "Christian Majority Rules No To Islamic Law' is displayed on the concrete fence.

Some non-Muslim residents in the area living near the highway denied they were behind the anti-Islam slogan.

Meanwhile, the MILF on Wednesday called for a stop in hostilities between the military and Moro rebels in Mindanao.

MILF chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim said he has ordered Abdurahman Macapaar alias Commander Bravo and Commander Ameril Umbra Kato to stop the attacks in several provinces in Mindanao.

"This is an unexpected situation. We have been very faithful in the peace process and we hold the supremacy of the peace process. We are very saddened by this situation," he said in an interview with ABS-CBN.

Murad said the attacks by Moro rebels in Lanao del Norte, Sarangani and North Cotabato provinces were the result of "frustration of MILF ground commanders."

He said the aborted signing of the MOA-AD and inflammatory statements "built up the outrage" of MILF ground commanders.

MILF, Catholic bishops hold peace dialogue

Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) leaders held a peace dialogue with Catholic Bishops of Mindanao on Thursday to reiterate their commitment to pursue the realm of peace, justice, solidarity and development in Mindanao.

The peace dialogue was held at the Archbishop's Residence in Davao City. Archbishop Fernando Capalla of Dava, co-convenor of the Bishops-Ulama Conference, led the bishops while MILF chief peace negotiator Mohagher Iqbal led the MILF officials.

It was the first ever dialogue between the Catholic Bishops of Mindanao and the MILF which both sides described as epitomizing utmost sincerity, trust and cordiality, and a historic significant initiative as a way forward in advancing the common quest for genuine peace, unity and development in Mindanao.

Luwaran.com, the MILF's official website, reported that in the joint communiqué issued after the peace dialogue, the MILF and the bishops reiterated their unwavering moral commitment to pursue the path to peace, solidarity, justice and development in Mindanao, and the peaceful resolution of the Mindanao conflict and Bangsamoro problem through the ongoing peace process between the government and MILF.

Quoted by Luwaran, Archbishop Capalla, said they are indeed very happy to host the historic occasion. "This is the very first time that high officials of the MILF were able to come to the Bishop's House and we are very glad to be with."

Adding that His Eminence Cardinal Rosales, Cardinal Vidal and the Papal Nuncio in Manila were informed of the peace dialogue.

For his part, MILF peace panel chief Iqbal said "We went our way to be here with you in the hallowed name of peace with our strong appeal for strong cooperation from all sectors in our stride to achieve peace in Mindanao."

"We all know that peace is so precious for all of us and so in the spirit of openness and frankness, we shall move forward with the process in searching for truth and justice as paramount foundation towards peace in Mindanao ," Iqbal said.

Joining them for the dialogue were Archbishop Orlando Quevedo of Cotabato, Auxialiary Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo of Cotabato, Bishop Honesto Pacana of Malaybalay, Bishop Juan de Dios Pueblos of Butuan, Bishop Neri Ochimar of Tandag, Surigao del Sur, Bishop Edwin dela Pena of Marawi City, Bishop Anonieto Cabahug of Surigao City; MILF Senior Peace Panel Member Atty. Datu Michael Mastura, Ustaz Mohammad Montasir and Ustaz Mohammad Abdullah, both members of the MILF Central Committee, MILF AHJAG Chairman Atty. Abdul Dataya, MILF Peace Panel Head Secretariat Jun Mantawil, MILF Peace Panel Secretariat Member Mohajirin Ali, and MILF Ceasefire Committee Secretariat Head Rasid Ladiasan.

During the dialogue, the Bishops asked the MILF on its stand on the present status of the Memorandum of Agreement on the Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD), clashes in some towns of North Cotabato, concerns on the indigenous peoples' issues, and how can the Bishops be help to the GRP – MILF peace process.

Reverend Archbishops Quevedo, who in his recent write ups said the MOA-AD could bring lasting peace in Mindanao for all its people, said the "new information" shared by the MILF on the MOA-AD are very helpful in appreciating further the document.

However, Bishops Quevedo stressed the imperative of holding more dialogue and education campaign to avoid the negative repercussions that the MOA – AD could possibly unfold.

"The Bishops and representatives of the highest leadership of the MILF called on all sectors of the society for sobriety and calmness in confronting and resolving the issues besetting the forging of the GRP – MILF: MOA–AD," said the Joint Communique.

It also stated "Both Parties also manifested their strong appeal for an immediate declaration of ceasefire to the ongoing armed clashes in some towns of North Cotabato, and immediate delivery of relief assistance and rehabilitation programs for the affected communities by all concerned institutions, local and international."

Both parties resolved that dialogue and educational programs must be intensified, particularly by the religious leaders and academic institutions, relative to the ongoing peace process in Mindanao.

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Violence mars ARMM automated elections

Faces of elections in Basilan. Photo/Caption Hader Glang

The conduct of first automated elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) on Monday was marred by violent incidents and other related-poll related cases leaving at least one soldier killed and four others injured.

But authorities said despite the violent election-related incidents, the conduct of the computerized elections in the Muslim-dominated autonomous region is generally peaceful and order compared to past elections.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) declared a failure of elections in two villages in Sumisip town, Basilan after a ballot snatching in barangays Tumahubong and Baiwas before the voting started in the said areas.

Comelec officials confirmed that unidentified men snatched the ballot boxes from election officers while on their way to the voting precincts.

Barangays Tumahubong and Baiwas have a total of 1,896 registered voters. The ballot snatching is one of the two election incidents reported in the autonomous region. Comelec reported a second case of ballot snatching also occurred in Shariff Kabunsuan.

The report also said authorities were able to recover the three ballot boxes snatched by an armed group, allowing election officers in the area to push through with the elections.

The ARMM comprises the cities of Marawi and isabela and the provinces of Basilan, Sulu, Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Tawi-Tawi and Shariff Kabunsuan with more than 1.5 million registered voters.

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) opposed to its political exercises, warning voters not to participate in Monday’s first ever automated elections as it will only divide more the already fragmented Bangsamoro communities in the region.

Police and military accused the MILF for preventing residents in barangay Baas in Lamitan City from voting. They showed to media photos with anti-ARMM polls markings allegedly by the Moro rebels.

In a related incident, armed men believed MILF rebels bombed a bridge in Tipo-Tipo town, Basilan apparently to prevent voters in the area to go to polling precincts. Marines rushed to the area and a firefight ensued resulting to one soldier killed and four others wounded.

Sources from Western Mindanao Command headquarters disclosed the casualties were airlifted by two helicopters to a military hospital at Camp Navarro in Upper Calarian, Zamboanga City.

Tipo-Tipo local officials confirmed to journalists that at least 300 MILF members allegedly overran the municipality, resulting the death of two civilians and injuring some others. Three policemen went missing after the attack.

ARMM election today

Some 1.5 million voters in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) will choose their officials from the governor to the vice governor and the 24 members of the Regional Legislative Assembly in the first automated election today in the southern Philippines.

Seeking to challenge reelectionist ARMM Governor Datu Zaldy Ampatuan (Lakas- CMD) are Guimid Matalam (Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino) and independent candidates Alvarez Isnaji, Jupakar "Joe" Arabani, Ismail Berto Ibrahim, Ahmad Darping Nooh and Ali Jumadil Omar.

The reelection bid of Vice Governor Ansaruddin Adiong (Lakas- CMD) is being challenged by Kadra Asani Masihul (Kilusang Bagong Lipunan) and independent bets Alex Abdul Qayyum Langco Ambor, Kursid Hajirie Sampang and Ailani Tan Susulan Jr.

The 24 positions in the Legislative Regional Assembly of the ARMM have drawn a total of 78 candidates representing Lakas-CMD, PMP, Liberal Party, Nacionalista Party, Ompia Party and Kapisanan ng Malayang Pilipino (KAMPI). The rest are independent candidates.

Of the six provinces comprising the ARMM, Sulu has the most candidates for regional assemblymen. Sulu's first district has 14 candidates and the second district has nine for a total of 23 candidates.

Sulu is followed by Lanao del Sur. There are 11 running for assemblymen in Lanao del Sur's 1st district and seven in the second district.

The other provinces have only one congressional district each. Basilan has 14 candidates, Shariff Kabunsuan, 8; Tawi-Tawi, 8 and Maguindanao, 7.

The six provincial governors and two city mayors in the ARMM have assured the Commission on Elections of their support to its effort to ensure a peaceful and honest polling in the ARMM today.

"We're even so ready to help the Comelec administer peaceful elections in our respective provinces if called for to do so," said Tawi-Tawi Gov. Sadikul Sahali said.

Sahali said there is no tension among all of the town mayors in Tawi-Tawi since all of them are supporting the administration candidates.

"There is no animosity or rivalry among us, incumbent local executives and even among our constituent traditional and religious leaders because we have a common candidate for regional governor, Gov. Ampatuan, and a common candidate for regional vice governor, Vice Gov. Adiong," Sahali said.

Marawi City Mayor Fahad Pre Salic, who has jurisdiction over almost a hundred barangays whose leaders are known for what seems to be "canine loyalty" to Ampatuan and Adiong, said his constituent-leaders do not have any other candidate for ARMM governor and vice governor.

"This is something that has not happened before. Barangay chairmen in Marawi City supported different candidates for the two positions during 2001 and 2005 elections so tension was so high during those two succeeding regional elections," Salic said.

The ARMM's six provincial governors, in a joint statement of support to Comelec's effort of ensuring peaceful and clean elections in the region today, said a successful outcome of the poll body's experiment on automated polling in the region is also a paramount concern for all of them.

"We're already sure of the victory of Gov. Ampatuan and Vice Gov. Adiong in our respective towns. What we are praying for is for this automated elections to be a big success, being the first step to the modernization of the country's electoral system," the six ARMM provincial governors said in a join statement.

Media reports that security has been beefed up in schools where counting machines for today's automated elections in the Muslim-dominated autonomous region are being kept.

It said that since early Saturday, authorities beefed up security in Cotabato City Polytechnic College, where counting machines for Shariff Kabunsuan province were stored.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Army (PA) are not taking any chances, and thorough inspections are being implemented for visitors who are coming in and out of the school.

A "no ID, no entry" policy is also implemented inside the college. Even the media could not enter the said place without an ID issued by the Commission on Elections.

Instead of using metal railings, the police used wood to serve as gate to ensure the machines' safety.

Last Friday, the Board of Election Inspectors and Smartmatic Sahi's technical support group spearheaded the thorough inspection of all voting machines in Shariff Aguak Central Elementary School.

A total of 3,300 direct recording machines were deployed in the province of Maguindanao, with 2,300 to be used for Monday's election. The rest of the DREs would serve as back up.

Two nights before the election and it seems the provinces of Maguindanao and Shariff Kabunsuan are peaceful. No untoward incident has been recorded since the start of campaign until Saturday.

Military troops deployed in the ARMM are prepared to ensure that the fully automated ARMM election on Monday would be peaceful and orderly, a military official said.

Joint Task Force Comet Commander Maj. Gen. Juancho Sabban said that the security of the people is at all times the paramount responsibility of the military. Hence, he said that the government forces are prepared to provide assistance to its police counterparts in the maintenance of peace and order during the election.

"We are here to reinforce the police, under COMELEC (Commission on Elections) authority, to prevent election violence. We don't expect for any unpleasant incident, but we maintain our readiness to respond to any contingency," Sabban stressed.

While the military organization supports the COMELEC in its efforts to enhance the holding of peaceful elections, Sabban said it shall not be directly or indirectly involved in the conduct of the electoral process.

"While ascertaining the safety and well-being of the civilians, meddling with the political procedures or whatsoever is out of our business. Peace and order during the duration of the whole electoral process - these are our mission to accomplish," he clarified.

The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Department of National Defense and the Commission on Elections stipulates the limits of military's involvement in the ARMM elections.

Military camps cannot be used as polling places, and soldiers cannot preside over polling counts. The MOA also bans soldiers from providing security for candidates.

Meanwhile, the military set up additional checkpoints in areas where security threats are high. Some units of the AFP are securing polling precincts as ordered by the COMELEC that is "to man, patrol, and provide military visibility" in areas identified under serious armed threat. Gun ban will also be enforced.

"The military shall enforce the firearms ban in order to dissuade or thwart threat groups including goons or private armies of political candidates from harming the voters and to prevent any occurrence of sabotage operations against the electoral process," Sabban said.

A STATEMENT...

Former House Deputy Speaker for Mindanao and Basilan Congressman Gerry Salapuddin on Bangsamoro homeland deal issue.

The signing that never was of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on Ancestral Domain of the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity between the Philippine Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) could’ve been the necessary step to finally bring to an end the bloodshed in Mindanao which is not just costly in terms of material loss but more so of precious lives and the dislocations continually of Muslims and Christians alike who are unfortunately caught in the crossfire.

My experience as a former member of the Moro National Liberation front (MNLF) and later as a member of Congress in the House of Representatives gave me a realistic insight into the peace process. The Final Peace Agreement (FPA) signed between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in Jakarta, Indonesia in 1996 was only implementable after the Congress of the Philippines enacted a law, which became the Organic Law of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) prescribing among other things the holding of a plebiscite. The present territory of the ARMM comprising of the Provinces of Maguindanao without Cotabato City, Lanao del Sur, Basilan without Isabela City, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi was a result of the sovereign expression of the people in the areas where the plebiscite was conducted covering 14 provinces and 11 cities in Mindanao.

As a former member of Congress, I was a witness to the dramatic enactment into law of the amended Organic Act of the ARMM. After series of amendments on the floor of Congress, what I thought could have been a landmark law creating a genuine autonomy in answer to the legitimate aspirations of the Bangsamoro People resulted in a watered down version of autonomy. That is why, during the plenary voting in the House of Representatives, though I was one of the principal authors of the measure, I walked out in frustration. I believe, for as long as the kind of autonomy is no genuine autonomy, it will never become a solution. It will just become a source of discontentment that may lead to the continuation of the Bangsamoro struggle which we want to be addressed once and for all.

As a stark indication of how less autonomous is the ARMM in comparison to the autonomy enjoyed by all the local government units (LGUs), despite it has its Regional Legislative Assembly (RLA) to supposedly approve its regional annual budget of expenditures, every year, it has to come to Congress to get approval of their budget just like any agency of the national government. It can not even approve its own regional budget. In the case of the LGUs, whatever funds they received from the national government like their share from the revenue collections called the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) it takes only their respective Sanggunians to approved their proposed local annual budget of expenditures to spend their income. Financially, the LGUs are more autonomous than the ARMM.

In the plebiscite conducted to implement the GRP-MNLF Peace Agreement, it was done in provincial and city levels. The percentage of plurality of votes cast in the provinces and cities determine whether a province or city can become a part of the ARMM or not. So even if there were predominantly Muslim populated municipalities and barangays desirous to become part of the ARMM, they can not become part of it if the majority votes in the province or city are not in favor. That is why, in the GRP-MILF Peace Pact, they went down to the barangay levels so that those barangays wishing to become part of the new Bangsamoro Juridical Entity, which is actually an expansion of the present ARMM, can now become part of the region. In other words, ultimately, it will be the people concerned in the areas where the plebiscite will be conducted who will decide for their political destiny, not their leaders or any politicians.

But just like the GRP-MNLF FPA, any comprehensive peace settlement between the government and the MILF will be submitted to Congress for enactment into law. Congress will provide for the usual legal process of holding a plebiscite to determine the wish of the people to be conducted in the affected areas. And I am sure, not only us, but even foreign monitors from the OIC and even the United States, the EU and the UN will also send their representatives to witness that political exercise to ascertain that the true will of the people freely prevail.

After a plebiscite has been conducted and assuming additional areas will be included, thereby expanding the present ARMM area, the RLA must initiate, as provided in the Organic Act of the ARMM, to amend the law to include the new territories. Likewise, the RLA must examine and introduce the necessary amendment to strengthen the ARMM. The RLA by law has only the power to initiate amendment of the Organic Act. The power to amend the Organic Act is vested with Congress. Then submit it to Congress thru the House of Representatives which will enact the necessary amendments to the Organic Act of the ARMM consciously incorporating into it the salient provisions of the Comprehensive Peace Settlement between the Government and the MILF. After which, a plebiscite will be conducted in the present ARMM Region to determine the true will of the inhabitants. If approved by a majority of the electorates in the region, only then all the amendments will become an integral part of the Organic Act of the ARMM.

In Europe, when several states were granted independence from the USSR by the UN, the US and EU because they were annexed without the expressed free will of their people, there was no plebiscite. No constitutional or legal processes were involved. They were just granted their precious independence. The same is true with some republics within the Federation of Yugoslavia. When they have decided to go free after a civil war where ethnic cleansing was conducted by Slobodan Milosevic and Radovan Karadzic, under the supervision of the UN, NATO and EU, they were just granted their independence. The latest edition was the declaration of independence of Kosovo from Serbia despite the protestation of Serbia after a plebiscite was conducted where the overwhelming sentiment of the inhabitants was to be free and independent. In Southeast Asia, when East Timor was annexed by Indonesia, after a UN supervised plebiscite was conducted, it was granted independence. That same treatment must have been true to the Bangsamoro Nation. But that is not the case. Despite this ordeal, the MNLF and now MILF oblige to abide by the legal processes even if they know they are at a great disadvantage.

Today, to determine the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity (BJE) or simply put, expansion of the present ARMM, an agreement has to be forged, a law has to be enacted and later a plebiscite has to be conducted to determine the true will of the people. This is the highest democratic process where the true will of the people is heard. Before, when the Bangsamoro Homeland was integrated into the now Philippine territory, there was no agreement forged nor any plebiscite conducted among our people to determine the voices and true will of our people whether they wish to be part of or not. Despite the formal manifesto and/or protestations of the Muslim Sultanates from Mindanao and Sulu to the United States Congress for the inclusion of their homeland, they ignored it and unmindfully integrated the Bangsamoro Sultanates into the Philippine territory. That is why we have this problem. That is why we have this negotiation. And that is why the Macapagal-Arroyo administration is trying its best to address this historical blunder to correct the injustice caused upon the Bangsamoro Muslims in this country so that we remain a united in diversity as one people and one country.

Moro group to seek UN intervention for Philipppine lawmaker's anti-Muslim speech

Cotabato City - A Moro group based in Mindanao lambasted Makati Rep. Teodoro Locsin’s privilege speech made at the House of Representative last August 5 about the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity and says it will submit a complaint against Locsin at the office of Mr. Dodou Diene, United Nation’s Special Rapporteur on Contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.

“Rep. Locsin’s privilege speech reeks of anti-Muslim hysteria. It’s very irresponsible for a statesman to attack religion and culture on the basis of hearsay and very dangerous for it foments religious bias,” said Amirah ali Lidasan, national president of Suara Bangsamoro.

Lidasan further said that if the issue is about the GRP panel’s manner of concealing information vital to the understanding of the people about the GRP-Moro Islamic Liberation Front talks, then Rep. Locsin should have questioned the government and not divert the issue on the type of Muslim governance that he fears.

“A government that does not reflect the wishes of its people is a bad one. We do not have pit one religion over the other just so we could cover the sins of our present government,” said Lidasan.

Lidasan pointed out that on the issue of the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain, it is the fault of the government panel for not informing the people about the negotiation.

Lidasan challenged Rep. Locsin that instead of painting a scary picture for the people in Mindanao under a Muslim government, he should look closely at the current situation of the Moro people under the Philippine government.

Lidasan said that under President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s administration, activists in Mindanao are being summarily executed, mostly Christians, while hundreds of Lumads and Moros have died due to military operations using mortars and bombs.

“Under the Arroyo administration, our communities are being pulled back in the dark ages. We are stripped of our civil and political rights and were made fall guys for anti-terror policies,” said Lidasan.

“The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao remain to be one of the poorest region, the highest in illiteracy rate and with people barely surviving because of the high prices of basic commodities,” said Lidasan, adding employees and teachers in the ARMM complain of delayed salaries, while wages of workers barely reach the minimum wage.

Lidasan calls on other organizations, Muslims and Christians, to submit the same complaint at the UN and hope that Mr. Diene will be able to issue a statement criticizing lawmakers and government officials issuing bias statements against the Moro people and Muslims in general. Press Release

Misuari: We're not bound by GRP-MILF agreement

Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chairman Nur Misuari raises fist as he performs takbir (a proclamation of the greatness of Allah) during his visit in Barangay Sta. Barbara, one of the Muslim-dominated villages in Zamboanga City. Photo/Caption Hader Glang

"I can not comment on that because we're not bound by the agreement or any agreement between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. We are not concern and we're not bound. All their agreements are not binding on us."

This was the reply of Moro National Liberation Front chairman Nur Misuari when asked to comment on the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) on Bangsamoro homeland accord between the Philippine Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Misuari visited the city Wednesday. He has been journeying across Mindanao for the past thirty-three days to call for unity and solidarity as well as to extend his gratitude to the people for their prayers and for his release from detention.

"I'm under obligation to call on our people for unity and solidarity because that was the latest resolution of the 35th ICFM of OIC in Uganda, which asked me to move around to call on the people to unite and to close rank for peace," he told reporters.

As a matter of fact, Misuari said no less than Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Ronaldo Puno with the approval from President Arroyo has requested him to move around to promote peace in Mindanao.

Apart from that, he said he came around also to help and enjoin his people in the MNLF – commanders and non-commanders alike – to strengthen their posture in preparation for the implementation of the agreement signed in Jakarta.

The Jakarta agreement calls for the creation of "internal security forces" in collaboration with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police to ensure peace throughout Mindanao, including Camiguin, Palawan and all parts in the ARMM.

"All of us will work together. I'm asking my brothers and sisters to prepare about 100,000 to 120,000 strong for the implementation of internal security forces," Misuari added.

When asked if he was reconciling with Mayor Celso Lobregat, he replied: "We'll he's not a foe of mine. The mother (the late Mayor Maria Clara Lobregat) was a good friend of mine and everybody of Zamboaga City is a friend of mine."

Assuring Mayor Lobregat that he’ll help make the city a peaceful place, he called on Zamboangueños to unite and join together for the sake of peace. "Let us make the city of Zamboanga a peaceful city for all of us and for our children."

Lobregat met with Misuari and they held a closed-door meeting at Garden Orchid hotel after the MNLF chairman prayed and talked with hundreds of supporters in the mosque at Barangay Sta. Barbara.

Several streamers welcoming the Moro leader were displayed in the Muslim-dominated barangay (village).

Joined by supporters and former rebels-turned-government soldiers, the MNLF chairman chanted "Allahu Akbar" (God is Great) as they marched to the village.

Inside the mosque, he told supporters: "We want freedom from the government. We don't need a limited freedom."

At Garden Orchid hotel, Lobregat and Misuari took their lunch together with some councilors and MNLF commanders. The mayor reiterated to him the stand of the city that it does not want to be a part of the autonomous region.

Lobregat told Misuari the city has been strictly implementing the gun ban and the guidelines for any visit of MNLF to the city that there should be no MNLF uniforms and no display of their flags while in the city.

Earlier, the mayor turned down the request of Misuari's representatives to use the Joaquin F. Enriquez Sports Complex for consultation with their followers citing that it is not an appropriate venue for 200 crowd.

"He (Misuari) wanted to extend the peace here and I told him the people of Zamboanga have been living in peace and so do not disturb the peace. However, his visit here was really to consult his people and I told him there's no problem."

Zamboanga was previously being claimed as part of the ancestral domain of the MNLF and residents had voted twice against the inclusion of their villages to the Muslim autonomous region.

On Monday, thousands of residents staged a protest against the inclusion of eight villages in the city in the ancestral domain, which refers to the MILF’s demand for the expanding territory of what will constitute a Muslim homeland of which they government.

The Supreme Court temporarily stopped the formal signing of the memorandum of agreement (MoA) on ancestral domain with the MILF, which was supposed to take place in Kuala Lumpur last Aug. 5.

Misuari, in another interview, said they were not involved to the GRP-MILF Moro homeland deal and absolutely not a party to that accord, thus they’re not bound by any consequences of that agreement.

He told journalists that he does not know what exactly the meaning of juridical entity saying that it’s just probably a play of word by the government and the MILF peace negotiators.

In September 2, 1996, the MNLF signed the final peace agreement with the Philippine government ending decades of war that had claimed thousands lives and displaced millions.

After the peace agreement was signed, Misuari became the governor of the Muslim autonomous region. But despite the peace accord, there was a widespread disillusionment with the weak autonomy they were granted.

Under the peace accord, Manila would have to provide a mini-Marshal Plan to spur economic development in Muslim areas in the South and livelihood and housing assistance to tens of thousands of former rebels to uplift their poor living standards.

Misuari is now facing rebellion charges after his followers attempted to overrun a major military base in Sulu province and another group held hostage over 100 people in Zamboanga City in 2001.

He fled to Sabah, Malaysia his former refuge, but was arrested by the Malaysian authorities and sent back to Manila, where he was detained for nearly eight years. He’s currently out on bail after a court in Makati City granted him temporary liberty. (HG)