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PRESS RELEASE
02 DECEMBER 2008
KAWAGIB launches ‘8-day Countdown to International Human Rights Day;
challenges gov’t to pull-out troops, back to nego table
COTABATO CITY – The KAWAGIB Moro Human Rights Organization here dares
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s government to pull-out troops still in
offensives in the bailiwick areas of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)
as its ‘confidence building measure’ before going back to peace talks.
Attacks against civilians intensified and human rights violations mounted
after Arroyo government deployed about half of the Armed Forces of the
Philippines (AFP) troops and launched military offensives against MILF
commanders Kato, Bravo and Pangalian.
Innocent civilians fear to return homes for their houses were burned and
communities were made as military camps like Barangay Dapiawan of Datu
Saudi Ampatuan in Maguindanao.
The government needs to pull-out its troops to show sincerity after it
dissolved its GRP Peace Panel, abandoned the agreed and signed Memorandum
of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MoA-AD) and declared All-Out War Policy.
The group also condemns the huge military budget allotted for
militarization compared to amount extended for relief to civilians
affected by war.
The government had extended only P130.9 million or P218 every evacuee
while allotted P500 million to pursue MILF commanders. The bounty of three
commanders cost P25 million alone. The amount extended for evacuees’
relief did not even reach half compared to damage cost due to aerial
bombing and mortar shelling that already reached P258.3 million.
Together with Suara Bangsamoro and Liga ng Kabataang Moro, KAWAGIB
launches protest action Tuesday, December 2, 2008 at the City Plaza here
and formally launched the ‘8-Day Countdown to International Human Rights
Day.’ The group calls for justice and indemnification to all victims of
human rights violations and put a halt to the on-going war in Mindanao .
“Civilians had suffered so much and their five-month stay in evacuation
centers is tough bases for the government and MILF to return to
negotiating table. The Moro people hope that the government would be
sincere this time, said Bai Ali Indayla, the group’s spokesperson. #
For reference: Bai Ali Indayla, Mobile # 09219064699, Tel # (064) 421-5680
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