ineffective military actions

Army’s action in Mindanao ineffective, says priest


DAVAO CITY, July 10, 2009 – Instead of solving the problem, Oblates of Mary Immaculate priest Fr. Eduardo Vasquez, Jr. said that the military action in Mindanao is not helping the already awful situation of the people brought about by sufferings and displacements.

“Our conclusion is that the military action had not been effective. Solving this problem [peace], therefore, should be done in the context of the peace process,” Vasquez said as quoted by Mindanao Peoples Caucus (MPC).

Vasquez said that it would help if the Adhoc Joint Action Group (AJAG) created by both government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to investigate and recommend punitive actions against erring MILF troops be reconstituted immediately, conduct a thorough and impartial investigation on the charges hurled against the MILF commanders and recommend punitive action against them if found guilty of the charges.”

He added that the concern on MILF erring commanders is not only exclusive to the military but also includes the MILF so both should work together.

The government, earlier, imposed a P10 million bounty for each information that would lead to the arrest of MILF commanders Ameril Umbra Kato, Abdulrahman Macapaar, alias Commander Bravo, and P5-million for Amil Solaiman Pangalian charged of murder, multiple murder, frustrated murder and arson.

“Police action is also ineffective in the past 11 months, so they should rethink,” said Vasquez, also the parish priest of Sta. Teresita Parish, home to about 300 Catholic families in Datu Piang and coordinator of the Inter-religious Dialogue Program of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate and head of the I-Watch, a media arm of the Oblates.

IDP consultations, 7/14

Meanwhile, the result of the series of consultations on the plight of internally displaced persons (IDPs ) in Mindanao will be presented for public discussion on July 14 in Cotabato City.

A series of consultation/dialogue between and among IDS from Barangay Ganta, Penditen, Bakat and Inaladan all in Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao were conducted by a non-government organization (NGO) from May 18- June 18, 2009.

The consultation focuses on the plight of the IDPs as well their day-to-day struggles in the different evacuation camps in the province.

Abdulbasit R. Benito, executive director of Bangsamoro Center for JustPeace in the Phil’s. Inc. (BCJP), an institution working towards the advancement of culture of peace said, the consultation dialogue is triggered on the recent wave of displacement that happened sometime last April in Barangay Ganta, Penditen, Bakat, Inaladan in Datu Saudi Ampatuan where civilians are forced to flee because of unrelenting hostilities in the ground.

“[After this presentation] civilians are expected to come up with their own recommendation when it comes to their safety and security in the area and also to share the documented plight of the civilians displaced by the current hostilities and shed light on the issues of unpredictable military shelling to those barangays,” said Benito.

The result of the consultation with the IDPs will be presented at Bai Labi Hall of El Manuel Convention Center in Cotabato City.

Some of its objectives are for the civil society organizations (CSOs) to share their expertise and resources; for military to orient displaced civilians and humanitarian players regarding objectives of their operation to avoid panic and trauma and for civilians to present their recommendations and options regarding their safety and security in the ground while tensions are going on. (Mark S. Ventura)