Press Release
November 29, 2009

International Mission to investigate impunity in Northern Mindanao

International Fact Finding Mission to the Lumad areas in Northern Mindanao is greeted by the gruesome Maguindanao Massacre emphasizing the culture of impunity on the spate of extrajudicial killings besieging the country.

The activity dubbed as the Panaw Kalinaw: International Peace and Human Rights Mission (IPHRM) gathers more than six hundred peace and human rights advocates here and abroad. The three day activity takes off today to two mission areas worst hit by violations to basic human rights and fundamental freedoms, Esperanza, Agusan del Sur and Malaybalay, Bukidnon.

“While the Ampatuans lord over Central Mindanao killing 64 in the recent massacre of innocent civilians, journalists and lawyers, paramilitary groups under Task Force Gantangan reign in the Agusan provinces and Bukidnon victimizing 13 Lumad leaders and peasants in its killing spree and terrorizing ancestral domain communities long been coveted by foreign investors,” Rev. Melzar Labuntog of Panaw Kalinaw stressed.

This year alone, Panaw Kalinaw has reported among those killed by the notorious Wild Dogs of Deo “Datu Mankombate” Manpatilan and the Bungkatol Liberation Front (BULIF) of Ronald Manhumosay, all of Task Force Gantangan under the direct command of the 30th IB are Lumad Leaders Datu Mampaagi Belyong, Aladino “Datu Mansubaybay” Badbaran and his relative Rico Badbaran who are known oppositions to the entry of mining and logging corporations in their communities.

Meanwhile, Lumad communities, such as St. Peter, Mahayag in Malaybalay, Bukidnon continue to be at the volley of fire of the Task Force Gantangan and the 26th IB of the Armed Forces of the Philippines coupled with the aggressive and intrusive mining project. Harassments, forced surrenders, bombardment and the forced evacuations of thousands of residents from their communities are an offshoot of continuing massive military operations in the area.

“It is the aim of the mission to expose these cases of human rights violations and the main perpetrators of these crimes. We strongly believe that unless efforts that seek to end the culture of impunity on the spate of extrajudicial killings are being undertaken, the reign of terror by those who are licensed by these government to carry arms will perpetuate and those who are accountable for these vicious attacks against the very basic human and fundamental rights go unpunished, the victims and the country as a whole will have neither peace nor justice,” Rev. Labuntog finally added.

The result of the IPHRM to the two areas will release its official report on the December 2 Peace and Human Rights Summit in Cagayan de Oro and will be submitted to local government units, and the Commission on Human Rights (CHR).

The opening activity which was held this morning at the Ampitheatre of the Malasag Eco-Village in Cagayan de Oro lighted candles in memory of the victims of the Maguindanao Massacre. The Mission includes by delegates from Australia, USA, Malaysia and Thailand. ###