MPC has been successful in positioning itself as a key player in the talks, having been officially recognized as an observer in the GRP-MILF peace talks, which is unprecedented in the series of talks conducted since 1976.
Bantay Ceasefire is a monitoring mechanism developed by MPC in 2003. Its volunteers do monitoring and field work to help deescalate violence and prevent conflict on the ground. in cooperation with the Joint Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (JCCCH) of the GRP and the MILF and with the International Monitoring Team.
Since its creation, part of MPC's mission has been to provide support and advice to indigenous people living in areas affected by conflict stemming from contested ownership of ancestral domain. In helping to resolve conflict within the community, MPC members are not merely involved in public advocacy on question of relief and rehabilitation; rather, they have also been developing local peace agreements bringing military, church, local governments and communities themselves at the negotiating table.
Mindalinaw is an independent, non-partisan and inclusive radio programme on peace initiatives. It serves as an ordinary person's forum. It is a combination of live and canned broadcasting that runs weekly for an hour in Cotabato, Maguindanao, Lanao and Sulu areas. Life Springs from a small cassette tape wherein the talks, commentaries, music, advertisements are pre-recorded.
In light of the raging crisis in Mindanao that has put the ongoing peace process in danger of caving in, it is imperative upon the youth to come together and collectively take action. The youth component of MPC takes an initiative to collaborate with other youth network that has also with the same inspiration towards peace and development in Mindanao.
Urgent Appeal for International Humanitarian Response in Mindanao October 1, 2008
The Mindanao Peoples Caucus calls for an immediate international response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Central Mindanao that already displaced more than 500,000 civilians. Despite government's assurances of its readiness and ability to respond to the crisis, on the ground humanitarian response is undeniably slow, intermittent, limited and haphazard. Hundreds of thousands of IDPs have not received the much needed relief and giving away three kilos of rice for each head of the family is definitely not enough compliance to say they had already been served.
We appeal to the international humanitarian agencies to coordinate and step up their efforts to be able to respond to this humanitarian crisis. The condition of the IDPs in the evacuation centers needs a lot of attention in terms of water and sanitation, food supply, medical needs and coordination among the duty bearers and service providers.
We also express concern on the apparent hatred campaign insinuated by vested political interests which unfortunately reawakened biases and prejudices among Muslims and Christians. This resulted in a seeming polarization of communities which affected even the delivery and distribution of relief goods. MPC considers this very alarming and calls on the international humanitarian agencies to fast track their responses in tandem with local relief organizations so us not to impair the independence and neutrality of the relief operations. Relief assistance at this time of heightened military operations in Cotabato, Maguindanao and Lanao provinces must attend to the needs of the IDPs regardless of religion, political ideology and ethnicity.
In Lanao del Sur alone, where around 24,000 families have left their homes, tensions are rising not only because of the punitive actions the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) had unleashed against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) but also because of the severe conditions of the evacuees. The Emergency and Humanitarian Action (EHA) of the World Health Organization (WHO) indicated that since fighting erupted between government forces and the MILF on 10 August 2008 in Central Mindanao, approximately 51 barangays of 6 municipalities in 3 provinces were heavily hit. These are located in Region XII and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). 'Bakwits' from the municipalities of Talayan, Datu Anggal Midtimbang, Datu Piang, and Datu Saudi in Maguindanao have been mushrooming too since September 23.
MPC is gravely concerned on the direct attacks committed against civilians especially those who are already staying in the evacuation centers. The recent incident in Datu Piang, where 4 children aged 3-9 years old and three other IDPs, were wounded by shrapnels of M79 grenade near the evacuation center, is patently a violation of International Humanitarian Law and the UN Guiding Principle on Internal Displacement. Clearly, civilians are not supposed to be military targets in the ongoing military operations and just like what happened in Lanao del Norte, MPC calls for the immediate observance on the rules of war on the part of the AFP and MILF.
As of latest count, more than half a million Filipinos have been affected by the ongoing conflict in Mindanao, the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) said. NDCC data released Wednesday showed that as of September 23, a total of 528,693 persons or 110,517 families in various parts of the island have been displaced due to the fighting between the military and the MILF.
The internally displaced persons (IDPs) came from 354 villages, 40 municipalities and two cities in nine provinces in Northern Mindanao, SOCCSKSARGEN, and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
Incidents of food blockade in Lanao del Sur and preferential treatment of relief assistance to Christians, especially in Tulunan, North Cotabato, provide a backlash to government's effort in addressing the needs of those who are directly affected by the armed conflict.
Indeed there is a need to raise more resources to address the plight of the evacuees who are in dire need of food, safe water, and medicines. There is also the need to address the situation of women and children who are forced to quit schooling because of the imminent danger on their lives.
We invoke the United Nations Guiding Principles on Internally Displaced Persons UNGPID) since the Philippine government is a signatory to it. The principles reaffirm that "national authorities" have the obligation to ensure that IDPs' basic rights to food, water, shelter, dignity and safety are met. They should accept the assistance of the international community where they do not have the capacity to provide assistance and protection to IDPs.
We appeal for the donor community and humanitarian aid agencies to continue their noble mission in addressing the plight of the IDPs. There is also much to be desired in terms of coordination work. We are calling for an international response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region and to independently look into the situation of the IDPs who until now needs immediate assistance. They are the true casualties of war, they are the true people deserving of our help. Finally, MPC reiterates its demand to immediately stop the war in Mindanao and save whatever gains and remains of the peace process. (30)
Narrative Report