Statement of the Mindanao Peoples’ Peace Movement (MPPM)

Stop the War in Sulu, Halt State Terrorism, Implement the 1996 GRP-MNLF
Peace Agreement and Earnestly Pursue Peace Negotiations with the MILF

The Mindanao Peoples’ Peace Movement (MPPM), a grassroots, tri-people,
multi-sectoral coalition/alliance for peace in Mindanao is alarmed and
deeply disturbed by the ongoing war in Sulu that has displaced around
50,000 civilians, destroyed properties and resulted in the loss of
precious human lives both civilians and combatants.

The MPPM Council of Peoples’ Representatives meeting on March 30 to April
1, 2005 at Sultan Kudarat Polytechnic State College (SKPSC), Lutayan
Campus in Sultan Kudarat joins the chorus of appeals for the immediate
cessation of hostilities in Sulu. We believe that nothing good will ever
come out of this bloody conflict. We also think that the refusal of the
Government to heed the growing massive appeal to stop the war in Sulu can
escalate the war and might lead to its spread not only in Sulu but in the
main island of Mindanao. This, in turn, can affect the ongoing peace talks
between the Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

The war in Sulu began on February 7, 2005 as a retaliation reportedly by
Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) guerillas against alleged military
abuses notably the Kapuk Punggol massacre of a Bangsamoro family killing
four of its members in the municipality of Maimbung, Sulu. The reaction,
however, of the Government and the Military is a case of an overkill. We
understand that at least four (4) Marine Battalions of the Armed Forces of
the Philippines (AFP) are now deployed in the small island-province of
Sulu to reinforce the troops already present in the area. The current
massive military operation, without taking into consideration the safety
and welfare of civilians caught in the crossfire, against a minute force
employing land, naval and air bombardment coupled by the obstinate refusal
of the government to heed the growing clamor for a ceasefire is akin to
using terror tactics on the part of the Government of the Republic
Philippines (GRP). This makes the GRP no different from any terrorist
group. THIS IS STATE TERRORISM, PURE AND SIMPLE.

MPPM also denounces the current campaign against terrorism in the
Philippines characterized by the indiscriminate labeling and arrests of
Muslims base on the mere suspicion of being terrorists. A concrete
manifestation was an incident last April 1,2005 wherein two Muslim men
were picked-up by the Task Force Tugis under Col. Henry Lomboy, 6th
Infantry Division, Philippine Army in Cotabato City onboard the Nora
Shipping Lines on the suspicion that terrorists were onboard the said
boat. The operatives did not even inform the management of the shipping
lines that they were conducting the operations and subjected the
passengers to searches.

We support the State’s campaign against terrorism but not at the expense
of human rights and the rule of law. We are against all forms of
terrorism, whether committed by ordinary criminals, revolutionaries or by
the State such as the effect of the GRP’s total war policy in Mindanao
wherein the civilian population heavily took the brunt of said policy.
Further, we pray that the authorities should not be quick to label anyone
or any group as terrorists. Let us not be blinded by the US hegemonic
leadership in the global war against terror that is a guise to dominate
and influence small and weak countries including the Philippines. We
perceive that the current anti-terrorism policy of the Philippine
Government is part of the United States’ global agenda to counter the
rising influence and power of Islam which is seen as the new enemy of US
hegemonic interests.

In view of the foregoing, we earnestly call on the Government of the
Republic of the
Philippines to:

1. Declare a unilateral ceasefire in Sulu and let Congress officially
investigate the causes of the renewed fighting in Sulu as well as the
unresolved conflict in Mindanao as a whole;

2. Reexamine its current war on terrorism policy and to refrain from
labeling Muslims or any other group for that matter as the perceived
terrorists;

3. Implement the provisions of the 1996 Peace Agreement between the GRP
and the MNLF as a manifestation of its sincerity to pursue “justpeace” in
Mindanao; and

4. Pursue more vigorously the current peace negotiations with the MILF.


April 5,2005



ALVARO O. SENTURIAS, JR. AMABELLA L. CARUMBA
Chairperson, MPPM Secretary General,MPPM
Midsayap, Cotabato Iligan City
CP#: 09205619270 CP#: 09205065235


The Council of Peoples’ Representatives (CPR)
Mindanao Peoples’ Peace Movement (MPPM)



Mabel

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Iligan City,Mindanao,Philippines
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