Philippines' first peace monument unveiled in Zamboanga City, Mindanao

Individuals, groups and institutions led by Peace Advocates Zamboanga (PAZ) and Interreligious Solidarity Movement for Peace (IRSMP) gathered yesterday infront of Edwin Andrews Air Base in Barangay Sta. Maria, in this city, to unveil a peace monument.

Fr. Angel Calvo, PAZ president, accompanied by Dr. Grace Rebollos, president of Western Mindanao State University (WMSU), and Prof. Ali Yacub, chairman of Golden Crescent Consortium of Peace Builders and Affiliates (GCCPBA) officially unveiled the first ever peace monument in the country.

An indigenous offerings and ceremonial ritual with smoke and incense as well as thanksgiving, flowers offering, and a prayer for peace were also held. Organizers said the offerings were giving themselves to Almighty God as the over all Peace Weaver of our time.

"As we cleanse ourselves, we commit to live in a new space for peace, peace within ourselves, peace among our neighbors, peace with nature and peace with our Great Provider," one of the organizers, Ms. Pangilinan, said in a prepared statement.

The statement further states, "In this symbolic gathering, we share flowers among ourselves to show love and respect of the individual; the smoke and the incense is the symbol of cleansing and driving away negative forces...and salt as it spread around the area drive away negative forces that may cause indiferrence or misunderstanding...let all symbols remind us to preserve and promote peace to all mankind."

Father Calvo told a crowd which included Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPPAP) Secretary Teresita Deles who graced the peace monument unveiling ceremony, Councilors Al Jihan Edding, Myra Paz Abubakar, as well as high ranking military and police officials and PAZ/IRSMP members: "This (monument) is reminder for all of us and the future generation of our aspiration of harmony among the people of Zamboanga."

Calvo said: "This is anchoring the reality of our hands. We proclaim peace in our hands...the mosaic represents the Muslims, Lumads and other tribes of Christians in the area that is our symbol to be a reminder to preserve and a symbol for all for us living in Zamboanga, coming to Zamboanga together or nearby the airbase with our aspiration of peace anchoring with the reality. We hope that the monument will be a monument to remind us all of our common commitment to peace."

The "First Peace Monument" was created by Tausug artist Rameer Tawasil. It is shaped like a peace dove and hand extending peace.

Secretary Deles congratulated and thanked Tawasil for contributing his talent in creating the peace monument that they have unveiled. "I will wish to return to this monument everytime I am in Zamboanga."

She said: "We build monuments and markers of remembrance to maintain to a past that we want future generations remember...we build monuments because remembering is a part of healing and a necessary step for moving on and forward."

She mentioned the "Social Contract with the Filipino People" of President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III. "It is not called a promise. Of the 16 provisions in the contract, number 14 focuses on the issue of peace in Mindanao. It said from a disjointed, short-sighted Mindanao policy that merely reacts to events and incidents to one that seeks a broadly supported just peace and will redress decades of neglect of the Moro and other peoples of Mindanao." - HG

Maguindanao massacre victims' kin urge for speedy prosecution of Ampatuans

Prayers, offering of flowers, lighting of candles, and demonstrations in remembering the 57 victims of Maguindanao massacre were held Tuesday in the remote town of Ampatuan to mark the first anniversary of the carnage.

A huge crowd, including local journalists from the different regions and foreign countries as well as multi-sectoral group leaders and non governmental organizations, gathered in a remote hill at Barangay Salman, where the slaughter occured Nov. 23, 2009.

Tuesday's ceremony in Ampatuan town began at 8:00 a.m., the country’s worst political massacre that shocked the world and gained media international and United Nation attention.

Military and police security forces backed by combat vehicles along the road towards the hilly site, where the massacre took place, had a very sizable size presence to secure the area.

The families and relatives of massacre victims led by Maguindanao Governor Esmael "Toto" Mangudadatu, whose wife Jenalyn was among those killed in the slaughter, called for a speedy prosecution of the accused.

"A year has passed but justice still remains unserved. I have mixed emotions as I stand before you today. I wish I could tell you that after one year, the case is about to be concluded," Mangudadatu said in a prepared statement.

The Ampatuans, their conspirators and accomplices shall in no time be convicted. However, that is not the case here. It pains me to think that despite the evidence presented by the prosecution, the major suspects in the case are yet to be arraigned."

Considering that the number of victims involved in the masssacre, Mangudadatu said its negative impact to the country and the media attention it received internationally as well as the slow progress of the case is to say disappointing.

Despite having been put behind bars, the Ampatuans remain influential through their allies who are powered by their ill-gotten wealth and weapons, according to Mangudadatu.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, who was present at the commemoration, vowed to focus her attention on the prosecution of those implicated in the massacre.

Reading the statement of President Benigno Aquino III, De Lima says: "Today the wheels of justice grind on. 57 cases are pending before the Regional Trial Court 221 of Quezon City. 49 of the 196 accused in the case have been arraigned and 81 have been arrested. One alleged victim remains missing. His body was never found."

The President's statement furthers, "The resolution of these cases has become the litmus test of our justice system. It in one of the top priorities of the Justice Department. We will not rest until justice has been served. Today we agai offer our condolences to the families of the victims and vow to do everything in our power to achieve a timely resolution of this case and esnure that this does not happen again."

Relatives of the victims also made emotional appeals for justice.

Journalists placed flowers and lit candles on the area, where many of the media colleagues were dugged up. They also released white doves and white baloons in memory of the victims.

A foreign journalist Deborah Muir, who is senior member of the Australia-based International Federation of Journalists, called for a speedy and comprehensive justice for all the Maguindanao massacre victims.

Meanwhile, Governor Mangudadatu asked the people to be cautious against the influences of the Ampatuans.

"Let us be vigilant so that we may restore not only peace and order in the province of Maguindanao but also the wealth ill gotten by them from the people. We should remain hopeful despite the slow progress of the case. Let us pray that justice shall be served in an inexpensive and expeditious manner. Let us pray that such event, one of the darkest moments in 21st century will never be repeated."

The Mindanao Human Rights Action Center, Inc. also issued statament wishing to express its solidarity with the families of the victims and support for their unwavering determination to seek justice.

"The quest for justice and peace must continue...justice is sought. Justice must be delivered. No ifs,not buts...our calls for justice for the victims of the November 23 massacre is ther same call we make for ALL victims of human rights violations throughout the conflict affected areas of Mindanao," the statement said.

Let our commemoration of the martyrdom of the November 23 victims be a moment for all of us to: reflect of the nexus between the conflict and human rights violations; strengthen our resolve to seek a just and negotiated end to the conflict; and strengthen our commitment to pursue justice for all victims of human rights violations. No peace without human rights. No human rights without peace."

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Tragic incident in Zamboanga: 3 killed, 6 injured

Fate intervened in the cruelest way possible, a Muslim public school teacher was stabbed to death by an ex-convict few days before she was to get married.

One witness, a 12-year old girl who was in a state of trauma, recounted the stabbing spree inside their classroom at Talisayan Elementary School in the city's westcoast.

It was Friday afternoon, October 22, 2010, a knife-wielding ex-convict who ran amok barged into the classroom and stabbed teachers and students one by one.

Six other people were also wounded in the attack that occurred at 1:45 in the afternoon inside the classrooms, where teachers were holding their classes.

The suspect, who was identified as Feli Mateo, was also killed after angry villagers, overpowered, mauled and beat him to death with stones.

The motive of the attack was unknown, but village officials confirmed that the attacker was an ex-convict.

It was learned from police officials, the suspect was the caretaker of a fighting cock farm owned by Leonito Narvaez.

The suspect was convicted for rape in 1981 and sentenced to life imprisonment. However, his sentence was commuted and later released in 2008.

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ASFP, JICA perform groundbreaking/turnover of over P25 million projects in Lamitan, Basilan

The ARMM seeks to improve the current socio-economic condition of Lamitan, Basilan in support of its current developmental thrusts that include among others the establishment of vital transport infrastructure facilities (roads, bridges, ports and other support facilities).

ARMM Social Fund Project Manager Nasser Sinarimbo on Friday, October 15, 2010, perfomed the groundbreaking of the improvement of Lamitan Port (construction of passenger terminal building) and concreting of Parangbasak- Bolehebong road in Lamitan, Basilan Province.

Japan International Cooperation Agency expert Tito Oria Sr. who represented JICA Chief Representative Norio Matsuda and Lamitan Mayor Roderick Furigay accompanied Engr. Sinarimbo in the two groundbreaking of ASFP projects in Barangay Kulay Bato and Barangay Parangbasak, as well as turnover of completed health and multi-purpose centers in Barangay Baungos.

In an interview, Sinarimbo said the local government of Basilan identified the projects through Lamitan Mayor Furigay whose effort was approved by ARMM Social Fund's Regional Economic Development Planning Board, and positively reciprocated by the administration of ARMM Regional Governor Ansaruddin Alonto Adiong with fundings from JICA.

According to Sinarimbo, the cost of the improvement of Lamitan port project is estimated at P15,808,302.39 million and the concreting of Parangbasak and the cost of Bolehebong road project is estimated at P9.791,229.07 million.

The said projects are also in line with the socio-economic-political agenda of the national government.

The officials believe the projects will bring progress to Lamitan benefits as far as socio-economic development, revenue, and all maritime interests and easy accessibility, reduce travel time, as well as peace and order stability, respectively, are concerned.

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A MUST WATCH VIDEOS: MNLF-MILF CONFLICT PART 1 & 2

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Police show CCTV video on airport bombing in Zamboanga

Local authorities here on Sunday showed to media a video taken from CCTV security camera footage that justifies the linkages of suspected bombers in Thursday's bombing near the arrival area of Zamboanga City International Airport.

In a press conference at City Hall, the Crisis Management Committee (CMC) chaired by Mayor Celso Lobregat presented pieces of evidence captured from the CCTV video footage establishing the linkages of Reynaldo Apilado and Hatimil Yacub Harun.

The authorities also showed a CCTV video footage of some scenes, including Apilado and Harun who were waiting near the arrival area when the explosion occurred.

Based on the CCTV footage, Saipudin together with a companion checked at Imperial Hotel on July 27, 20010 and the next day Apilado, Harun and a companion took over the said hotel room and continued until July 31, 2010.

The video footage showed that on August 1, 2010, the three persons transferred to a bigger room at the same floor in room 203 and until August 5, 2010, the day of the bomb explosion at the city airport.

It furthered that at about 3:15 in the afternoon on August 5, Apilado together with Harun and other companions left the Imperial Hotel. It showed Apilado returning a hotel key in the counter.

It also showed the suspects suspect were in the stairway going down and walking away outside the hotel.

Police Regional Office 9 (PRO 9) chief Edwin Corvera told reporters that in their investigation those finger prints taken from the hotel and the identification cards match with the finger prints of Apilado.

Meanwhile, Directorate for Integrated Police Operations Western Mindanao (DIPO WesMin) director Angelo Sunglao said they are looking into on whether a backbag was given to Apilado at the airport.

"Because based on the CCTV footage, when they (suspects) checked out from the hotel apparently they had no carried a bag...so we are investigating who carried the bag that was used," he added.

Sunglao said they are open to all the possible motives, one of which is the political, but said they are not discounting other motives.

But he said that, "with the development linking the pieces of evidence is leading to that point (more or less political)."

Earlier, during questioning by Philippine National Police chief Jesus Versoza with Governor Sakur Tan of Sulu, the latter told authorities that the the bomb attack was intended for him.

Tan also told General Versoza that Cocoy Tulawie, the main suspect in the first bomb attack on the Sulu governor a year ago in Patikul, was behind the Zamboanga City airport bombing last Thursday.

Tulawie, a former councilor of Jolo, Sulu and a leader of Bangsamoro Consortium of Civil Society, is facing warrant of arrest together with three companions for the first bomb attack on Governor Tan's convoy in Sulu.

He remains at large as of this report and he is now the subject of manhunt operation by police and military authorities.

Meanwhile, Mayor Lobregat clarified certain publication about the identification of the mastermind of the bombing who attempted on the life of Governor Tan of Sulu.

He said the authorities are looking at past attempts on the life of Governor Tan, wherein there were several suspects who have warrants of arrest.

"So the instructions of the PNP chief (General Jesus Versoza) is to make sure that there is a manhunt for those that have warrants of arrest," the mayor explained.

He said: "It does not necessarily mean that those suspects are the masterminds that cannot be more or less made very definite at this point in time."

Authorities identify suspected bomber at Zamboanga City international airport

Chief Supt. Edwin Corvera, director of the Police Region Office 9 (PRO 9), shows to journalists the photo of Reynaldo Apilado, whom the authorities suspected as the bomb carrier who blew himself Thursday night at the Zamboanga City International Airport. Also in photo are PNP chief Jesus Verzosa (left) and Mayor Celso Lobregat.

Police and military authorities announced the identity of a suspected suicide bomber who blew himself up targeting a governor of Sulu on the Zamboanga City international airport on Thursday night.

Security sources said that authorities are still conducting thorough investigation of the alleged suicide bombing which if confirmed could be the first of such attack carried out by a Filipino.

A police investigator described the video footage from a surveillance camera at the airport saying that they have seen the suspect (Reynaldo Apilado) who was standing infront of the arrival area and stayed there for almost four minutes."

"Then the passengers started to come out from the airplane. Perhaps, 3 to 4 passengers until such time the escort (vehicle) of Governor Sakur Tan passed when the explosion occured...the suspect has a bagpack at his back," he said.

The suspected bomber was identified as Reynaldo Apilado of Barangay Maasin, Zamboanga City. He was in his 30s and had been living at a local housing project for the past 3-4 years.

Authorities are investigating reports that Reynaldo Apilado came from Siocon town in Zamboanga del Norte and had stayed in Cotabato City sometime ago.

Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat said that a surveillance footage at the airport showed that the alleged bomber made no move to detonate the bomb that he was carrying in his backpack.

"So I would be very very hesitant to use the word suicide bomber because first of all there is no evidence that Reynaldo Apilado was the one who triggered the bomb. There was no triggering mechanism that was found within the vicinity."

Lobregat added that it is very possible that there was a remote triggering device that was triggered by somebody else. Aside from that, he said there is another angle that Reynaldo Apilado did not know that what he was carrying.

"Perhaps, somebody just asked him to carry the bag and to meet somebody in the airport. So all these angles are being looked into and we really should refrain from using the word suicide bomber because it is not verified," he said.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Jesus Versoza, in a press conference in Zamboanga City, told reporters that the motive of the bombing incident appears to be a "politically motivated terrorist act."

"That is a possible attack on Governor Tan by a person through the used of bomb," Versoza said.

He said they are now looking also on previous incidents that might have some relations with the attack on Governor Tan before because there was an attempt on his life before also through the used of bomb.

"Our investigators are assessing and interfacing the other terror attacks which are polically motivated. In the initial finding, the bomb carrier itself that was a victim in the bomb blast," the PNP chief said.

Bombing at Zamboanga City airport

Two persons including a suspected bomber were killed and twenty two others wounded in a bombing Thursday evening outside the arrival area of Zamboanga International Airport in Mindanao.

2 people killed, 22 others injured

Suspected bomber blew himself

At least five people including a suspected bomber were killed and 22 others injured when a bomb exploded outside the arrival area of the Zamboanga City International Airport on Thursday evening.

Mayor Celso Lobregat told local reporters the explosion occurred at about 6:15 p.m. outside the city airport's arrival area.

"It appears that the person holding the explosive device (was the bomber). We can not determine yet what the explosive device used in the attack. The body (suspected bomber) was mangled," he said.

The mayor said one of those injured victims was Sulu Governor Sakur Tan who was among the passengers of a Philippine Airlines flight from Manila that landed in Zamboanga at 6:10 p.m.

"I was able to talk with Governor Sakur Tan of Sulu...he went inside the arrival area. He was there with his son (Mayor Tan)...the governor had a slight wound because he was outside the airport when the incident happened," he said.

Governor Tan was one of the passengers going out of the airport when the bomb exploded.

When asked if the bomb was intended for the Sulu governor, Lobregat replied. "He (Governor Tan) told me that the bomb was intended for him. He thinks so."

According to Mayor Lobregat, the Sulu governor told him that the bomb exploded a few feet away from him. "In fact, he showed me his shirt was full of blood stains and the t-shirt of his son Mayor Tan was also full of blood stain."

Tan's spokesman, Sonny Abing, said the governor suffered a scratch at the right abdomen, but the injury did not require Tan to be confined at the hospital. As of posting, Tan was in his residence in Zamboanga City near the airport.

Mayor Lobregat considered the bomb attack as a terrorist act, saying that "definitely, this is a terrorist act. How else can you describe it? This is an act of terrorist."

Also asked whether the attack was a suicide attack, he said the person who carried the bomb could have exploded prematurely or it could have been that the person did not know that he was carrying the bomb and somebody had a triggering device.

The mayor confirmed that one of the injured blast victims is a British national. "He is in the operating room. He is 69 years old I think he was just waiting a passenger."

Lobregat also said that US ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas canceled his trip to Zamboanga City due to the bombing incident at the airport.

"I was just informed by General Dolorfino that the trip or visit of the US ambassador has been cancelled definitely because of the incident."

Thomas was scheduled to fly to Zamboanga on Friday to inspect local projects funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

The US military has had about 500 soldiers stationed in the southern Philippines since early 2002 to train local troops in how to combat Al-Qaeda linked Abu Sayyaf militants.

Mayor Lobregat convened the city's Crisis Management Committee to assess the situation. He said the measures they adopted to address the incident include a much higher police and military visibility.

"We have also raised the level of alertness. We have asked augmentation of troops both from the regional police and the military’s WesMinCom. The police and military top officials here assured that they will put all the possible resources that they can put to secure the City of Zamboanga," Lobregat said.

Escalation of Sultan Kudarat hostilities

between 2 MNL-MILF faction leaders feared

Abandoned houses of the civilians in Lebak, Sultan Kudarat that are affected by the armed conflict of two Moro commanders Randy Karon of MNLF vs. Jing Caludtiag of MILF.

An armed conflict between a top commander of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) against a commander of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Lebak, Sultan Kudarat province is feared to escalate as hostilities between the two camps continue to claim lives.

Muslim leaders of Mindanao have tried but failed to pacify Datu Randy Karon, a top MNLF commander, and Jing Caludtiag, commander of the 104th Base Command of the MILF in the town of Lebak.Karon is a close ally and one of the trusted men of Chairman Nur Misuari during the MNLF-led armed struggle during the 70s and 80s in Central Mindanao.

When Misuari became the regional governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) in 1996 and until 2001, Karon was appointed as the regional secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

After the failure of the traditional leaders, local government units and non governmental organizations to bring peace to Lebak, the International Monitoring Team (IMT) overseeing the cessation of hostilities between the government and the MILF has stepped in with the hope of ending the armed feud between two commanders.

Battle of supremacy

The said feud started last year and has already claimed several lives and displaced thousands of civilians who fled their homes to safer grounds in the towns of Datu Blah Sinsuat and Lebak in Sultan Kudarat, and its adjacent towns in Maguindanao.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development in the ARMM headed by Acting Secretary Pombaen Karon-Kadir reported that the displaced families have around 17,000 individuals affected by the MNLF-MILF commanders’ armed conflict.

They are temporarily housed in nearby villages and village halls while some of the evacuees are taking refuge at the houses of their relatives in neigh-boring villages.

A source of The Manila Times noted that the root cause of the armed conflict between the two Moro commanders was a reported “battle of supremacy” on who should control the strategic patches of lands along the coasts connecting the towns of Datu Blah Sinsuat and Lebak in Sultan Kudarat.

The two commanders, with their own armed followers in tow, engaged in gun battles several times last year, causing the dislocation of thousands of villagers who rely mainly on fishing and farming for their livelihood.

Protecting civiliansKaron told the members of the media that visited his lair that the MNLF forces loyal to him were just out to defend the civilian populace of Lebak who were reportedly harassed by the men of Caludtiag.

Karon claimed that the town of Lebak became a peaceful coastal municipality after the MNLF and the government signed the Final Peace Agreement in 1996.

He said the MNLF forces in the area including him have already reverted to their civilian lives after the signing of the peace accord that was brokered also by the Organization of the Islamic Conference.

According to Karon, after the failed signing of the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain between the government and the MILF peace panel, some MILF commanders attacked certain towns in Mindanao to get the attention of both the local and international communities. Karon accused the MILF forces headed by Caludtiag, which according to him attacked also civilian installations.

“They attacked the power plant situated in Calamansig, Sultan Kudarat that included a power barge situated in the commercial port of Calamansig that eventually brought havocs into our civilian populace,” Karon complained.

Karon said because of the atrocity of the MILF forces under the control of Caludtiag, he was forced to recall his former MNLF combatants and regroup themselves into one fighting army.“I came to the point of recalling my old troops and regroup ourselves to counter act the terrorist activities of Caludtiag and his men,” Karon said.

Not sanctioned

Meanwhile, the MILF admitted that Caludtiag is one of their commanders, but claimed that he was not taking orders from the MILF central command. The group maintained that Caludtiag’s acts were not sanctioned by the MILF.

Ghazali Jaafar, the MILF chairman for political affairs, in a statement, said that while the trouble in Sultan Kudarat province involves an MILF commander, the MILF as an organization is not involved at all.

Jaafar also said that the armed conflict between the two commanders is an isolated case and should not affect the resumption of the peace talks between the government and the MILF scheduled after the observance of the Muslims’ holy month of Ramadan.

“Caludtiag’s involvement in the fighting is not sanctioned by the MILF. So it does not affect the peace talks between the GRP [Government of the Republic of the Philippines] and the MILF. This has nothing to do with it,” Jaafar said.

Appeal for peaceJaafar had sent a message addressed to both Karon and Ca-ludtiag, whom he advised to amicably settle their differences in order to bring back normalcy and peace and order in the towns of Lebak and nearby towns in Sultan Kudarat.

“I believe brother Karon, being a Muslim, and brother Caludtiag, being a Muslim too, must stop fighting because this is un-Islamic. You know, when one Muslim fights against his brother and the intention is to kill him, this is forbidden in Islam. Our hope is that both of them will agree to the proposed settlement initiated now by the IMT because many of their Muslim relatives and brothers are affected by their fighting,” Jaafar further said.

MNLF commander airs sentiment
over Misuari's unilateral decision

Datu Randy Karon (right), leader of Moro National Liberation Front’s Bangsamoro warriors in Central Mindanao, shows one of his high-powered firearms at Camp Watamama Silongan-II in Lebak, Sultan Kudarat. Joseph Zosobrado, Net 25

A top moro leader based in Central Mindanao said Prof. Nur Misuari cannot make a unilateral decision for the destiny of the Bangsamoro people.

Datu Randy Karon, leader the Moro National Liberation Front forces in Lebak, Sultan Kudarat, made the pronouncement early this week.

Commander Karon has been in conflict with Jing Caludtiag, also a commander of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front since March 2009.

The conflict has already claimed several lives on both sides and displaced thousands of people in the towns in Sultan Kudarat and Maguindanao.

"He (Misuari) should involve us. After all, we are freedom fighters. We fought for this cause, we fought for the aspiration of the Bangsamoro people," he said.

Now we have the peace agreement with the government and then he (Misuari) will just decide for the destiny of the Bangsamoro people alone, no! That can't happen, we will always oppose him but we still recognize him as the chairman of the MNLF," he pointed.

Karon, however, said Nur Misuari is still considered as their leader in the organization, stressing that they do not disown the MNLF founder.

"In fact, we have that high respect on him, but you know in an organization like us, you can't evade some sort of mental conflict, belief. I think that's the only thing we differ now."

He further said that there is no personal conflict between him and the old man, as it is only a matter of technical problem.

Dismissing a report that he already split from the MNLF and he formed his own group, Commander Karon sai he is still an MNLF and that MNLF is Nur Misuari.

"You can't prevent some circumstances that the group has also this internal problem but this is a problem within our organization. We will settle this once and for all but you know because of my problem can't see and talk to the old man (Misuari)," he added.

According to him, there are moments that they have opposed Misuari's idea because he is not a perfect man.

In fact, Karon said they have been doing some initiative and effort with the group to reconcile all their differences between them.

"We have already started moving but you know, this is hampered by this problem (conflict with Caludtiag). So I have to stay with my boys here. So how would I work with my MNLF brothers and sisters in other provinces?"

Karon explained they have initiated move under that unified MNLF hard cores, but not to abandon Nur Misuari or destroy the MNLF and make another organization.

"No...our intention here is to unite the MNLF to pursue the peace agreement that we have signed with the Philippine government. That is our final and ultimate goal for reorganizing the MNLF again."

When asked if still take orders from Chairman Misuari, Karon replied: "At the moment I don't. As I have said this is not a company. This is an organization. This is not own by Nur Misuari. we will see what kind of orders he is going to give us. If it is advantageous or favorable for the Bangsamoro people, we still abide him. But if his order is going to be erroneous to the organization, so why abide it?" -- HG

Solution to conflict between 2 MNLF-MILF

faction commanders in SK remains elusive

A definitive solution to the armed conflict between Datu Randy Karon, leader of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) forces in Lebak town in Sultan Kudarat, and Jing Caludtiag, also commander of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s (MILF’s) 104th Base Command, remains elusive.

Based on media reports, despite attempts from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) traditional leaders and local government officials and the latest from the International Monitoring Team (IMT) to resolve the conflicthe two armed feuding groups continue their dispute in the area.

The armed conflict which started sometime in March of 2009 has already claimed several lives and displaced thousands of civilians who fled their homes to safer grounds in the towns of Datu Blah Sinsuat (DBS), Lebak, Sultan Kudarat, and its adjacent towns in Maguindanao.

The DWSD-ARMM regional office reported that the displaced families in the Karon-Caludtiag conflict are temporarily housed in nearby villages and village halls while some of the evacuees are taking refuge at the houses of their relatives' houses in neighboring villages.

A local official in Lebak told this reporter that eight barangays, including Sadam, Miti, Senapak, Laguitan in Datu Blah Sinsuat in Maguindanao as well as Tran, Calamansig, Lebak, Sultan Kudarat have been affected with an estimated of 15,000 to 17,000 individuals.

The official said the sector most affected by the conflict is the business and the education sector. “I refer to the business community of Lebak and Calamansig. This situation has greatly affected the people in the community, putting them in high alert, and fear that this trouble will escalate to its fullest. Yes (on education)…you just imagine how many people have been displaced from the various barangays from DBS (Datu Blah Sinsuat) and Lebak.”

Karon, who was former regional secretary of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) when MNLF chairman Nur Misuari was ARMM governor from 1996 to 2001, is reportedly battling against Caludtiag over control of strategic patches of lands along the coasts connecting the towns of Datu Blah and Lebak in Sultan Kudarat.

The two contending factions fought several times last year, causing the dislocation of thousands of villagers that rely mainly on fishing and farming of short-term crops such as corn, rice and bananas, as their source of income.

In an interview at his lair called "Camp Watamama-II" in Lebak, Commander Karon said that the problem started after the collapse of peace talks between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

"This group, the MILF, it's very clear. It's not just a suspect. This Caludtiag family," the MNLF commander said, blaming the MILF faction command as the one who started the conflict.

But MILF vice chairman for political affairs Ghadzali Jaafar refuted this, saying that the conflict is a misunderstanding between two relatives because Karon and Caludtiag are relatives.

"I can’t give details the misunderstanding between the two of them because it’s a long story but the fight between them is not an organizational conflict between the MILF and the MNLF. It is a family. But sometime it is misunderstood. Sometime people are saying that the fight is between the MILF and the MNLF but that is not correct."

Jaafar said the MILF is not siding Caludtiag, although he is an MILF commander. Admitting that Caludtiag is being reinforced by hi MILF relatives, but the decision of his relatives who are identified with the MILF in helping him is family matter and is not sanction by the MILF as an organization.

Meanwhile, evacuees who have been affected by the armed conflict between Commander Karon and Commander Caludtiag in the coastal sitio of Lebak are longing for an end to the feud in their village.

An evacuee identified as a certain Basio, 60, who has four children said that his house and corn farm were totally damaged when the armed fighting between the two feuding groups erupted in their barangay recently.

"The conflict really affected our lives. We don't have livelihood here and we are afraid to return to our home," he said.

A woman evacuee, who is suffering from tuberculosis, said they have practically no medicine and the conditions in the area where they temporarily stay for months now are completely unsanitary.

"We don't have any medical assistance here and our home and farm were destroyed. We hope they will already settle their differences and stop the fighting," the woman added

Women, children and the elderly in Lebak, some with weeping sores on their feet, make up the majority of the refugees. Many were asking for fishing net from concerned local government agencies for their livelihood.

"When this conflict is over, I must return to my house because it is there where we born," said a teenager whose one leg was hit by a crossfire during the armed fighting between the men of the two moro feuding groups.

The coastal village of Lebak and its adjacent coastal areas are left with destroyed shanty houses and just a tiny fraction of fishermen as residents move away from the area. Now, only armed men remain in the camp of MNLF or peace zone with a Philippine flag hoisted near seashore.

Asked if they still want to settle the conflict, Commander Karon said:: "Of course, I want to have our people, our civilian, our community healthy and stable because after all that's the reason why we agreed to the peace offered by the government."

Karon said the truth of the matter he is just waiting the decision of the MILF for this problem and that he already yielded the problem to the MNLF chairman.

"I told him (MNLF chairman) to decide for us. While it's true that there is an offer of the MNLF to settle this problem but I see some biases on their decision because they only talked the local issue between our family and and then forget that big issue that involves many people who died here," he stressed.

He asked: "How would you agree with that kind of proposition disregarding that big issues surrounding this problem?"

The MNLF commander explained that the problem could had not been reached this extent had it not the support of the MILF to the other side that instead of making the effort to resolve the problem, they send more their forces to support this group (Caludtiag).

"So that's the cause why there is no resolution that had taken place. After all those initiatives from people and different people from all walks of life. Now comes the intervention of the International Monitoring Team (IMT). I don't know what's going to happen next."

"Up to now I am still awaiting for whatever peaceful resolution to the problem because you know it's my family that suffers the consequence of this problem. It's my relatives and my people from this place. It's not the people coming from the different areas. It's not them that suffer the consequence of this trouble. It's our relatives, our family and friends and all the people in this place."

Also asked to comment on the unity covenant between by the MNLF and the MILF signed by Prof. Nur Misuari and MILF Chairman Al Haj Murad Ibrahim, he said they are not privy to it and they don't recognize that agreement.

This agreement could probably be a personal agreement between them (Misuari and Murad), otherwise they should have consulted us before signing with any party...there was no consultation ever made whatsoever between us and Nur Misuari.

"This is people's organization that needs proper consultation on matters related to the shaping of the destiny of the organization and the people itself."

Speaking in behalf of Commander Caludtiag, MILF vice chairman Jaafar said the International Monitoring Team (IMT) together with the ceasefire committees of MILF and GRP CCCH is right now handling the problem.

"The purpose is to reconcile the two groups. Until now, they are still in the process of trying to resolve the problem, the issue. I don’t know whether they will succeed or they will fail, but we can only pray that the effort of the IMT will succeed because as of now, there are civilians in the area in Tran and neighboring areas directly affected by the troubles. They were forced to abandon their homes for fear that they might be caught in the crossfire, and so decided to stay in safer areas temporarily."

Jaafar said that what is happening between Karon and Caludtiag is not good because he believe the Bangsamoro people must remain united in facing their problems. Jaafar also believes that at this point in time there is no room for disunity and infighting between and among Bangsamoro.

"I believe that Bangsamoro leaders at this point in time must be able to arise above the 'box' (MNLF box, tribal box, MILF box)…what I mean here the Bangsamoro leaders must think as one people as Bangsamoro people, not as tribal leaders, not as Tausug leaders, not as Maguindanao leaders, Maranao leaders but as one…I think there is no time in a Bangsamoro people such as now that the Bangsamoro must act as one people, united," he concluded. HG

Business community shocked at

latest kidnapping in Zamboanga

Charlie Reith, 72, the latest kidnap victim in Zamboanga City.

Vice moralty candidate Crisanto "Monsi" Dela Cruz said the City's business community was "shocked" by the abduction of a Swiss-born businessman in the city on Easter Sunday.

"The business community here is shocked by the latest kidnapping of a good friend and a neighbor," said Dela Cruz, the former presidential assistant for Western Mindanao.

On Sunday, undetermined gunmen sneaked onto the resthouse of victim Charlie Reith, 72, at Sitio Parkampo, Barangay Patalon, west of Zamboanga City at around 6 p.m.

Reith was married to a Filipina and had been living in the Philippines for decades. He owns a sand and gravel business in the same village, but previously managed a large piece of land.

A caretaker told local reporters Reith was drinking liquor with a German friend when the abductors arrived. He said the German was left behind after he passed out.

The military said Reith was forced to board a pumpboat, which sped off with the gunmen to a still unknown direction.

The caretaker said the kidnappers also took the victims' cell phones, wallet, car keys and jewelry.

It was learned from media reports that the gunmen who abducted Reith were seen speeding away in the direction of Basilan island, a well-known Abu Sayyaf and kidnappers lair.

Monsi Dela Cruz said they are saddened by the kidnapping of Reith, who is a well-respected member of the local community in Zamboanga City.

"We're are praying for the fast and safe recovery of Mr. Reith," the former priest and government official said.

"I also ask the people of Zamboanga to stay calm but vigilant amid all the incidents taking place in the city," Dela Cruz added.

According to Dela Cruz, City Hall should properly use the intelligence fund to address and put a stop to the kidnapping menace.

He said the kidnapping problem stands as a critical stumbling block to Zamboanga City's and growth and progress.

"If there is more kidnapping then we will continue to lose business confidence from local and foreign investors," Dela Cruz further said.

"It is time for the present administration to set aside politics and solve this kidnapping problem once and for all," he ended. HG