Know the TRUTH and please don't fan the flames

by Kahlil Urmila Virola Gardiola

Kahlil Urmila Virola Gardiola*

For the past two days, this status has been gaining popularity: I condemn the ABS CBN TV Patrol POLL dated October 20, 2011 for irresponsibly asking a complex question: "Papayag ba kayo na itigil na peace talks at mag ALL OUT WAR na laban sa MILF?" While 97% voted for YES, does this follow that 97% wants to stop the peace talks AND at the same time launch an ALL OUT WAR against the MILF? Let us not allow a question to compromise the peace talks. NO to sensationalizing of news and complex question. YES to fairness and accuracy of news! MEDIA, KNOW YOUR RESPONSIBILITY!!! [Please post this in your status until it reaches the mainstream]. It still riddles me as to the orginal source of the post, but it spread like wildfire over FB, specially among Mindanawons; Manilenyos; people from Luzon, Visayas and Pinoys based in other countries who are aware of what's really happening.

I am really saddened by the question AND result of the TV PATROL poll last October 20. Yes, there are lots of unfortunate things happening again here in the South. The majority of Filipinos are again prone to being drawn to confusion, irritation, anger, hatred, and worst--apathy. These flames are fanned further with misinformation; one-sided information; and people in positions who can greatly influence perception and sentiments. 

As your sister and fellow Filipino in our life journey, all I ask is for each of us to stay vigilant and always check and double check the information we are "handed" and most of all, not be influenced by black propaganda. For most people outside the conflict areas, especially those who don't know the real deal behind the issues, it all just seems confusing and pathetic, but for people here in Mindanao; specially those working on the ground; working for peace and trying to uphold the ceasefire and peace process (THIS ALSO INCLUDES mechanisms inside the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Moro Islamic Liberation Front such as the Joint Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities; Local Monitoring Teams; their subordinates, as well as International and Local representatives of the International Monitoring Team (IMT)--which I am also a part of). For these people working on the ground, and ESPECIALLY for people who LIVE WITHIN the conflict areas... every prejudiced word uttered, every wrong information, every decision made by people in high positions (mostly people in Manila and some who wants to protect their personal interests here in Mindanao), spells possible agitation, panic, violent conflict and displacement of thousands of families. 

In truth, if you don't already know, there are still hundreds of thousands of Internally Displaced People (evacuees) living in temporary shelters (because of the wars and some skirmishes before and after 2000, 2001, 2003, 2008 etc) up until now. The last thing we would want to happen again is an ALL OUT WAR like the one declared by Estrada in 2000. THAT WAR ALONE displaced almost a Million civilians. Yes, there are also internal conflicts such as RIDO, and some breakaway groups, but this only shows how complex the situation is, and how we are treading on fragile ground. Hence, it would be best if we leave the work to the authorities whose mandate is dealing with these particular issues--let them investigate and serve justice for those who deserve justice. Another unknown fact, for the past 10 years, since the the implementation of the Ceasefire Agreement between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the communities are replete with success stories and life-saving experiences that are yet to be told and shared to a wider audience. Official records of the government and the MILF show 608 incidents of confrontation in 2002, which dropped to 10 in 2005 and only three in 2010. To add, when the government and MILF went back to negotiations, Mindanao experienced growth from 2005-2007, until clashes resumed in 2008 due to the controversies surrounding the now defunct MOA-AD.

 For those who are calling for an All Out War, DO NOT call for something out of emotional outrage, especially without even hearing the other side of the story; and without considering the huge implications of what you are suggesting. It has been a long arduous and painful journey towards peace... please do not compromise these efforts just 'cause you are feeling perplexed about things you see on mainstream media. Besides, let's not forget, that in the first place, all this struggle is rooted on the injustices done unto the Bangsamoro people. Justice for the Bangsamoro has long been overdue, and we are not making things better by spreading hatred against the Moros with misinformed and prejudiced declarations.

So, as your sister, I ask of you to please, please, stay cautious, get to know the real stories, don't spread the hatred and prejudice, help us achieve a lasting political settlement (to finally end all these), pray for us, whitelight, and just spread your love... ♥ Thanks and God Bless us all.

Ayyi "My TRUTH Empowers"

Read it at Facebook.com

*Photo from facebook.

PCEC Statement on the Recent Basilan Incident

We grieve and condole from the depth of our hearts with the families and friends of those who were killed from both sides in Sitio Bakisung, Barangay Cambug, Municipality of Al Barka in Basilan last Tuesday, October 18, 2011. In a battle that went from 5:30 AM up to 4:00 PM, about 31 government forces, and 6 of the Bangsamoro mujahideens, lost their lives in a clash that could have been avoided.

We hear the rage of our people as they cry for justice. A few of our politicians are even calling for an all-out-war. We are also deeply saddened as some of our media personalities have drumbeated war escalation perhaps borne out of their passionate response to the bloody and gruesome graphic images they have captured.

However, this is the time when we need to heed the exhortation of James, the brother of Jesus Christ, when he said, “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. (James 1:19-20 ESV) An all-out-war is not the answer to this crisis. We need to listen, find out the truth, implement justice, and seek the peace of all and not just of some.

The Mindanao armed conflict, from the 1970s up to 2000, cost us 120,000 deaths and US$2-3 billion in direct economic losses. The 2000 all-out-war under President Estrada displaced 2 million people. It is not wise to go back to the old ways and lose the gains of the peace negotiations in the past 14 years.

We need to move on. All the forces on the ground, including our government and military leaders and the MILF are moving on to a new era of dealing with conflicts through peaceful means. We praise God for the principled-leadership of His Excellency Benigno Simeon Aquino III for upholding the primacy of the peace talks in the midst of calls for an all-out-war. We laud his standing order to the AFP to "Pursue peace, not Moro rebels."

We salute Brig. Gen. Jose Mabanta, the Armed Forces Deputy Chief for Operations, as he resonates with the instruction of his Commander-In-Chief that there is no such a plan for an all-out-war, and that winning the peace is the top priority of our military. 

We respect the position of Lt. Gen. Raymundo Ferrer of Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) who is strongly seeking justice for his soldiers within the existing peace mechanisms—like filing complaints before the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH).3 Such intention is within the GPH doctrine on the primacy of the peace talks. This, in our opinion, is strategic thinking par excellence!

We also support the move of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) for requesting immediately the International Monitoring Team (IMT)—peacekeeping officers from the European Union, Malaysia, Canada, Japan, Brunei, and other respected countries—to conduct quickly an investigation on this clash and other ensuing armed resurgence.

We affirm the stance of MILF CCCH Chairman Said Shiek who keeps in continuous direct contact with his government counterpart to avert any further armed escalation. We call on those who profess to follow Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, to listen to these words: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” (Mt. 5:9)

"And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace." (Js. 3:18)

May God's peace, blessings and wisdom be upon our government and military leaders, the MILF and all significant players on the ground as they navigate the nation through this crisis. May God’s peace embrace our land, our people, and our culture—now, and in the years to come.#

Bishop Efraim M. Tendero, D.D., D.L.
National Director, Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches
October 24, 2011

 Read it at OPAPP.

Let Not Fr. Fausto Tentorio Die in Vain (Media Statement - Peace Advocates Zamboanga)

WE condemn in the strongest terms the murder and killing of Fr. Fausto Tentorio, a religious of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME), who was treacherously shot dead in the premises of his Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish in Arakan Valley, North Cotabato last Monday, October 17, 2011. We grieve over the tragic loss to God and mankind of another faithful worker in the mission to build the Kingdom of God.

Fr. Tentorio served and helped the people of Central Mindanao, especially the much-marginalized indigenous peoples of the region, for some 30 years. His death is an irreparable loss to the people of his community. But with him all people who believe in what he struggled and worked for – justice, love, freedom, truth, and peace - partly die, too.

His killing is an indictment not just of those who executed him, but of the society that produced the killer/s and the motive behind the evil and barbaric act. Fr. Tentorio pursued his pastoral duties with an uncommon zeal and courage because he daily witnessed the unjust and unjustifiable sufferings of the people around him. Their sufferings have been the results of the greed, betrayals, violence and corruption committed by others, perhaps by a nameless many day in and day out. This is the real culture of impunity that is said to be rife hereabouts.

The President has reflexively ordered the investigation and arrest of the perpetrator/s. But even in the rare event that the killer/s is caught, that would not be enough. Government has a constitutional, political and moral duty to wipe out the culture of impunity afflicting our society and people. It is a spreading cancer that results in rising insurgency, terrorism, criminality, and poverty.

We hope and pray that the killing of Fr.Tentorio will arouse local people and communities from apathy, indifference and cynicism - and so to inspire and energize us all to carry on his work and mission wherever we may be. By so doing, we shall affirm to God and ourselves that there is hope in our dreams for peace and better life, and that Fr. Tentorio did not live and die in vain.

Read it at Mindanao Examiner.

October 20, 2011 07:28:01 PM

Gov’t soldiers continue to attack MILF forces in Zamboanga Sibugay

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

MILF claims responsibility for killing of 8 gov't security troopers in Mindanao

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

7 soldiers killed, 8 others wounded in Zamboanga Sibugay ambush incidents

This is another sad story. The ambushes conducted by the MILF should be put to a stop. Every death in either camp escalates the tension and jeopardizes the peace process.

Condolences to the families of the seven soldiers. It's interesting to know also the casualties of the mortar attacks conducted by the AFP in the area.

The MILF also said that it's not organizational, which means the Central Committee did not authorize it. If so, is this a violation on the internal rules of the MILF? What are the disciplinary actions? As part of their accountability, a directive should be issued to put to halt any attacks or any plans of counter-attacks to the MILF community. But until now, an official statement couldn't be found from the luwaran website.

Read it at inquirer.net

October 21, 2011 8:37pm

Fr. Jun Mercado's Statement

A Call for Sobriety and Peace!

Folks,
Peace!

The tragedy that happened in Basilan, specifically the battle in al Barka that left 19 AFP young officers and men killed came as a shock to all. 

Everybody holds on the ceasefire agreement notwithstanding the ambiguity in the present talks. 

This tragedy poses a strong temptation for retaliation... and we are beginning to hear rumblings that demand blood for blood or an eye for an eye. 

But it also in these times that all people of goodwill NEED to rise from the grief brought by the tragedy albeit difficult and painful and proclaim anew our commitment to the peace process. 

It may not be popular to call for peace in these times... but peace making is NEVER a popularity contest. 

We do understand the pains as well as the bitterness brought by the recent losses in al Barka... Yet, in the midst of these pains and losses, we have to proclaim our faith in the peace process. 

Paz y Bien!

Fr. Jun Mercado, OMI
Institute for Autonomy and Governance
19 October 2011




Read it at Bapa's Space