Misuari: War in Mindanao unnecesary, unfortunate

Prof. Nur Misuari, founder and chairman of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), in Zamboanga City.

Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) Chairman Nur Misuari expressed sadness yesterday to what is happening in some parts in the southern Philippines particularly in Central Mindanao, saying that the war is unnecessary and unfortunate.

"This war is unnecessary and unfortunate because we only expose our children, our women to this scourge of war and it seems nobody is benefiting from this war," Misuari said in an ambush interview at a mosque in Barangay (village) Sta. Barbara.

Misuari performed here the Jumu'ah (Friday) prayer. He arrived here Thursday to meet followers in Basilan as part of his peace caravan that he has been doing since he was temporarily freed from detention in connection with rebellion charges against him.

Although he understands the feelings of his brothers about the failure of the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD), the MNLF chieftain said he believes that the peaceful means is more effective than the martial means.

"We should not be carried away by our emotion. You know in diplomacy, in a peace talks, in a negotiation, you must always expect for the worse. So when you get the reversal of your faith like that and then you react the way they did, you only add, augment or exacerbate your own problem," he said.

Misuari was referring to the incidents in North Cotabato, Lanao de Norte and Lanao del Sur provinces that were triggered by the frustrations and outraged of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) commanders Umbra Kato, Abdullah Macapaar and Sulayman Pangalian.

At this point in time, according to him, the best way now is for them to continue to search for peace through the peaceful means to avoid any calamitous repercussion on their children on their women and civilians as a whole.

'Why do we have to fight when every time it's our own innocent civilians are the victims of this war?" he asked, adding that unlike before when they were just starting they had to fight for their rights, freedom, even decolonization and independence of their homeland.

But after the MNLF reached the peace agreement with the government in Sept. 6, 1996 when war-like means would no longer be necessary, Misuari said therefore they must not accept any provocation whatsoever.

"That's what I told our brothers in MNLF don't accept provocation, don't provoke and don't also play into the hands of those provocators who want to destroy the smooth transition from the present crisis situation into peaceful one," he continued.

The MNLF chairman furthered that in the case of the MNLF, the members have been so steadfast in following his advice to continue to uphold their peaceful way of achieving peace in Mindanao, hoping that there would be no more obstacles in the way of peace so that they can restore back their freedom.

Misuari's latest visit to Zamboanga was the second and the 4th leg of his peace journey, a sequel of his visit to Davao City, Central Mindanao, Lanao del Norte and Basilan. He intends to visit Zamboanga del Norte, Tawi-Tawi, Siasi, and Sulu in the next few days. HG

Moro rebels website embarks survey on most hated Filipino politicians

The website of the Moro rebels in the southern Philippines will embark an on line poll with the question, "Who is the most hated Filipino leader?" to determine the sentiments or viewpoints of the Bangsamoro people.

In a report posted on Luwaran.com, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front's official website, said the survey was conceived after the failed signing of the Memorandum on Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD) in Malaysia on August 5, 2008.

The report said the failed signing between the Philippine government and the MILF peace panels infuriated Bangsamoro people and sent some Moro rebel commanders to hit military targets without sanctions from their superiors.

According to an insider of the Moro rebel website, who requested anonymity, the survey will be very objective, saying only Luwaran.com readers have the opportunity to vote on the issue.

"However, only Moro readers are urged to participate and vote," he said, without elaborating. "In a way the Arroyo administration will benefit from this online survey in many ways."

The name of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is number one in the list, followed by former Pres. Joseph Estrada, Exec. Sec. Eduardo Ermita, DILG Sec. Ronaldo Puno, National Security Sec. Norberto Gonzales, and Malacañang spokesman Jesus Dureza.

Seventh in the list is Senator Mar Roxas, followed by Senator Franklin Drilon, Makati Rep. Teodoro Locsin, North Cotabato Gov. Jesus Sacdalan, North Cotabato Vice Gov. Emmanuel Pińol, and Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat.

The Luwaran.com reported that ousted President Estrada repeatedly criticized at the MILF with threat of "all-out war" even if he was already out of the office.

It said that entry no. 14 is Atty. Adel Tamano, a Moro who caught the ire of many Moros especially from his province of Lanao del Sur, for parroting the anti-Moro lines of Roxas and Drilon.

Kapihan de Zamboanga
By Hader Glang

A petition statement against President Arroyo

Philippine Council for Islam and Democracy (PCID) Lead Convenor Amina Rasul e-mailed me a petition statement of Former Senior Government Officials (FSGO) of which she is a member being the former presidential adviser and concurrent National Youth Commission ((NYC) chair.

FSGO is a group of previous senior officials who had served at Cabinet and Sub-Cabinet levels of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines under six presidential administrations over the past 40 years.

In their petition statement titled: “Moves For Extension Will Not Die: Filipino Citizens Should Prepare Fro Action,” FSGO members expressed alarmed over the current political developments.

They noted that in spite of various protestations by political leaders from the administration and the opposition, the talk of a brazen attempt to extend the term of Mrs. Arroyo simply will not die.

The following are further excerpts from a petition statement of the FSGO members against President Arroyo:

“Charter change to be initiated in Congress through a constituent assembly has seemingly been stopped in its tracks by the vocal opposition of many members of the Senate, whose two-thirds approval would logically seem necessary to convene a constituent assembly.

Yet the House of Representatives, through the Speaker, and the Chairman of the Committee on Constitutional Amendments, has announced that it will be holding "public consultations" to elicit public opinion on charter change, whether for federalism, shift to a parliamentary system or such other excuse/justification as may later dawn on the proponents.

Some legislators have been vocal in pushing their interpretation that "the Constitution requires only a two thirds vote of its members to propose amendments to the Constitution," an interpretation that would make the Senators' votes almost irrelevant in the process.

The current administration has swung violently on the matter of the conflict in Mindanao from rushing to sign the MOA on Ancestral Domain with the MILF to the abrupt cancellation of the peace talks, the dissolution of the peace panel and the attempt of Mrs. Arroyo to disown knowledge of the agreement; and now a relentless armed confrontation that is seemingly designed to goad the MILF and other groups into a combative reaction or a series of violent actions.

The inevitable armed confrontations and deaths that will follow could be a ready-made platform to suspend the writ of habeas corpus or, heaven forbid, even the declaration of Martial Law. The Constitution requires only a vote of a majority of the members of Congress, voting jointly, to approve and extend Martial Law.

We declare our commitment to a just and sustainable peace in Mindanao. We will initiate and support all possible actions that will bring about an inclusive process to begin with ceasefire and return to the peace table.

We declare our united opposition (1) to any moves that exploit the Mindanao situation to extend Mrs. Arroyo's stay in power, (2) to any attempt to amend the Constitution before 2010, (3) to any attempt to change the Constitution through a Constituent Assembly, and (4) to any step towards declaring Martial Law.

We call on all Filipinos to be vigilant, to inform themselves, to organize with like-minded fellow citizens, and to prepare to show our leaders and officials the true power of our democracy.

US forces' promise aid for Zambo airport unfulfilled, says air transportation chief

Philippines (left) and United States of America flags.

Promises are meant to be broken. This seemed to be true when the local head of Air Transportation Office (ATO) here complained Thursday that the US forces have not fulfilled their promise to help improve the facilities at the Zamboanga City International Airport.

"They promised everything, but up to this point in time not a single nail was given," ATO chief for Western Mindanao Celso Bayabos told members of the City Council. He did not elaborate further.

Bayabos was invited by the City Council to find out the extent of damage of the runway at the international airport, which the local ATO chief has been complaining that needs an immediate and major repair.

The US Embassy spokesperson in Manila, Rebecca Thompson, has been insisting that the "US forces are here at the invitation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) under the Visiting Forces Agreement.

But Bayabos said he was puzzled because US forces were expanding the structure they had built inside the airport within the Edwin Andrews Air Base (EAAB), though he said the expansion had the permission from the central office.

According to Bayabos, his office submitted a letter to the head of US forces here to do something about it, but instead of initiating actions like moving it (away), they even added some structures making it bigger now.

Meanwhile, local legislators here, during Thursday's regular session, questioned Bayabos why he is still allows huge US aircraft, such as C-17 military plane, to land despite the problem.

In response, Bayabos said they have issued advisories to all pilots to exercise extreme caution while landing in the international airport due to the presence of holes or craters in the runway.

Since 2002, US government have been deploying special forces to Zamboanga with a mission of training Filipino soldiers in fighting terrorists and implementing humanitarian projects on Sulu and Basilan.

American military aircraft have been using the city's international airport to transport personnel and equipment into the airport in support of the US mission to assist, train and advise Philippine military in its fight against the Abu Sayyaf and other domestic terrorist organizations.

There had also been frequent trips of huge US military aircraft, four times bigger than a C-130 cargo plane, using the Zamboanga international airport, aside from smaller military planes and helicopters.

Coalition of 23 groups call for a suspension of US military deployment to Mindanao

The military base of the US Joint Special Operations Task Force - Philippines (JSOTF-P) inside Camp Navarro in Zamboanga City. Caption/Photo Release From Citizens' Peace Watch

Pending the conclusion of a fair and thorough probe by lawmakers surrounding the US military deployments to Mindanao, a broad coalition of NGOs, social movements, and political parties from the country on Tuesday called for its suspension.

In a press release, the Citizens' Peace Watch, a group formed to monitor what it fears as the growing and permanent US military presence in the South, reiterated its recommendations from a fact-finding mission.

Members of the mission who conducted in Zamboanga City and Sulu last February claimed to have seen with their own eyes – and to haver pictures of – the US' military structures inside Camp Navarro in Zamboanga City.

The members of the Citizens' Peace Watch are Akbayan! Party-list, Alyansa ng Kabataan sa Mindanao para sa Kapayapaan, Anak Mindanao Party List, Balay Rehabilitation Center, Bangsamoro Women's Foundation, Citizen's Coalition for Human Rights, Focus on the Global South, KaisaKa, Kilusan para sa Pambansang Demokrasya, Lanao Alliance of Human Rights Advocates, Mindanao Peoples Caucus, Mindanao Peoples Peace Movement, Mindanao Tri-People Women Forum, Moro Human Rights Center, Muslim Women's Organization, Peace Women Partners, Peacebuilders Community, Pinay Kilos, Resource Center for People's Development, STOP the War Coalition Philippines, Sumpay Mindanao, Task Force Detainees of the Philippines, Tulong Lupah Sug, Inc..

"The information coming out today about the US military presence in the south confirm what we have been saying all along for many months now," said Corazon Fabros, one of the group's spokespersons.

"It is high time to look into them because the government's excuse is becoming more and more ludicrous while the situation is getting more and more dangerous," she added.

The group stressed the following findings from its fact-finding mission:

* that the US has established military basing in the Philippines;

* that the US is involved in actual combat operations in the country;

* that the US military has, in complicity with the Philippine military, committed human rights violations in the Philippines;

* that the US is conducting operations outside the control of the Philippine government and military;

* that the US military's so-called humanitarian projects are mere cover for military operations;

* that do not benefit the local population;

* US basing and intervention in the country is contributing to insecurity and leading to an escalation in conflict.

The coalition said in light of the constitutional violations and actual danger to lives and human rights, the Citizens' Peace Watch challenges elected representatives to take the initiative to demand and conduct Congressional and Senate inquiries into the issue.

It also demands the suspension of US military deployment to the Philippines, specifically the stationing of the Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines as well as the military exercises, pending fair and independent review of and investigations on their presence and intervention.

GRP peace panel dissolution draws mixed reactions

Various leaders voiced mixed reactions Wednesday to the dissolution of the government’s peace panel. While the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) said it is normal, others said the era of peace talks is over.

MindaNews website reported quoting Guiamel Alim, executive director of the Consortium for Bangsamoro Civil Society, saying that they made the panel pay for government’s weaknesses and insincerity.

“It also means the government is ready to run after the MILF. It also means the International Monitoring Team (IMT) should go home. Mechanism on the ground is dead. What a loss,” Alim said.

MILF chief peace negotiator Mohagher Iqbal said that the dissolution of the peace panel is “normal” in any negotiating process and that it is the government’s privilege to do so.

“Well, that is normal in any negotiation, you can change your panel as you wish and it is internal to the government and that is their privilege, they can do that anytime they want,” Iqbal said.

Amina Rasul, executive director of the Philippine Council for Islam and Democracy, expressed disappointment and alarm at the dissolution of the GRP peace panel, saying that it is a move that destabilizes an already unstable situation in Mindanao.

“I fear that the MILF will take this as the final evidence of the Arroyo administration’s insincerity in the peace process. The hawks seem to have won and a military option will be this government’s strategic response. Peace is lost. I pray that I am wrong,” she said.

Abhoud Syed Lingga, executive director of the Institute of Bangsamoro Studies, said government is “undoing what has been achieved in the 11 years of peace negotiations.”

Lawyer Mary Ann Arnado, secretary-general of the Mindanao Peoples’ Caucus, said “the issue here is not the composition of the peace panel. Whoever sits, they will surely fail if government itself has no clear position on how to resolve the Mindanao armed conflict.”

She said “the situation clearly demands a political settlement and the question is how ready are we to give way to viable political options and formula. change is inevitable — these politicians can only prolong the changes to protect their own interests — but they could never stop it.

Zamboanga City 1st District Rep. Maria Isabelle Climaco, in a report by ABS-CBN, said the dissolution of the government’s peace panel for the MILF is a welcome development.

Climaco said this kind of announcement would signal the start of a true peace process and negotiations with the people who are really affected in the areas, to really go down to the stakeholders.

“This would give us an opportunity to really get down to listening and consulting the people,” she said.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita formally announced Wednesday that the government would be forming a new government peace panel with the MILF.

He said the decision to dissolve the peace panel was arrived at during a national security cluster Cabinet meeting in Nueva Ecija on Tuesday.

The dissolution of the peace panel, headed by Ret. Gen. Rodolfo Rodolfo Garcia, was “effective immediately,” he said. “All mechanisms within the peace process are in place, the ceasefire agreement will be maintained.”

The new peace panel will pursue talks consistent with President Arroyo’s new peace policy where disarming, disbandment, and reintegration of armed rebel forces will be “front loaded” in the negotiations.

The new approach to the peace talks will be followed not just by the peace panel with the MILF but also the other government peace panels talking peace with Communist rebels and other armed groups.

President Arroyo has also ordered Presidential Peace Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. to review all existing peace initiatives of the government, including the stalled talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines.

The decision to scrap the peace panel and to adopt a new peace strategy was made in response to the legal opinion of the Office of the Solicitor General and the issues raised by Supreme Court justices in the hearings on the MOA-AD.

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.