June
22, 2018
As a
network of humanitarians, peace advocates, and human rights defenders, we call
on concerned local government units and the military authorities to uphold
humanitarian protection and to take steps to ensure civilian safety and welfare
in the ongoing military campaign against the members of the Bangsamoro Islamic
Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in and around the Liguasan Marsh in North Cotabato and
Maguindanao.
We
appeal to the mandated organizations who are committed to human rights to
immediately hold a non-partisan investigation on the reported deaths of a
14-year old boy and a pregnant woman at the height of mortar shelling
operations as in Lower Idtig in Gen. Salipada K. Pendatun municipality on June
16, 2018 and the killing of an elderly and a 13-year boy during a military raid
in SitioMakantal, Olandang, Midsayap, North Cotabato on June 12, 2018.
At
the same time, we remind rebel fighters to refrain from taking actions that
endanger the lives of the civilians and non-combatants as they can be held
accountable for violations of humanitarian laws and human rights standards
governing armed conflict situations.
The
clashes between the soldiers and the BIFF members have resulted to the
displacement of more than 3,000 families from the villages of Dalgan, Buliok
and Kalbugan in the town of Pagalungan, Maguindanao. They sought refuge in the
old market and an elementary school in the town center and later moved to the
neighboring municipality of DatuMontawal, Maguindanao.
We
call the attention of concerned authorities to verify reports that soldiers and
public officials are asking the evacuees to return to their places of origin
despite the ongoing aerial bombings in nearby areas. We ask the duty-bearers
and other stakeholders to take into consideration the United Nations Guiding
Principles on Internal Displacement (UNGPID) in handling the situations of the
internally displaced persons.
As
essential and sustainable measures to attain durable solutions to the recurrent
issue of internal displacement in security-challenged areas in Mindanao, we
enjoin everyone to support the enactment into law of the version of a
Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) that will correct the historical injustices
committed against the Bangsamoro and
fulfill their legitimate right to self-determination.
We
also call for the passage of the Internal Displacement Act to set into law the
obligation of duty-bearers and stakeholders in the prevention of involuntary
displacement and the protection and promotion of the rights and welfare of
civilians affected by man-made and natural disasters, including situations of
complex emergencies.
We
request the media to always exercise peace journalism and refrain from
distorting the truth in covering the conflict in the Bangsamoro in order not to
add more to the agony and sufferings of the hapless victims.
Supporting
Organizations:
1. Balay Rehabilitation Center
2. Bantay Ceasefire
3. Community-Based Peace and Protection
Center (CBPPC) North Cotabato and Maguindanao
4. Cotabato Alliance for Moro Concerns
(CAMCI)
5. Cotabato Center for Peace and Development
(CCPDI)
6. Early Warning Early Response (EWER)
7. Grassroots Against Poverty and Hunger
(GAP-HANGER)
8. Integrated Mindanawon Association for
Natives (IMAN)
9. Local Initiative for Peace and Development
(LIPAD)
10. MyPeace: Boses ng Kabataan
11. North Cotabato Coalition of Organizations
(NCCO)
12. Oblate of Mary Immaculate Foundation
(OMFI-IRD)
13. SUARA Kalilintad
14. Tiyakap Kalilintad Incorporated (TKI) North
Cotabato and Maguindanao
15. United Youth for Peace and Development
Cluster 1, 2 & 3 (UNYPAD)
16. Youth Alliance for Peace of North Cotabato
Contact
Person:
DATU NASH MIDSAPAK MATULA
NCCT-CSO
Communications Officer/Balay Rehabilitation Center
Mobile
Phone: 0927-004-5693
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