May 1 Labor Day Celebration

COVENANT IN SUPPORT TO THE PASSAGE OF THE
P125 WAGE INCREASE FOR LEGISLATION PENDING IN CONGRESS
May 1, 2007
Iligan City Public Plaza


We, the workers, members of the Civil Society Organization Forum For Peace (CSO-FP), a multi-sectoral network organization and the Congressional Candidates for Iligan City and 1st district of Lanao del Norte, are united to celebrate the Labor Day, this May 1, 2007;

We recognize that we belong to the working force, a prime mover of the economy in the country though in varied endeavors as stakeholders to benefit the P125 wage increase for legislation;

We respectfully recognize the five (5) congressional candidates in this simultaneous national and local election on May 14, 2007, who vowed to represent the dreams, aspirations and will of the people in Iligan City and 1st district of Lanao del Norte, such as supporting the passage of P125 wage increase for legislation in congress for the welfare of the workers;

We believe the abolition of the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) that composed of representative from Labor, Management and the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) which did not benefit the workers;

We therefore, affix our signatures as stakeholders of this covenant on this 1st day of May, 2007 at Iligan City, Philippines.

Iligan opens week of peace

Written by Violeta M. Gloria / MindaNews
Monday, 26 March 2007 10 17 48

ILIGAN CITY (MindaNews/25 March) – The city’s peace advocates spruced up their vehicles with white balloons in a motorcade from the city plaza to Linamon in Lanao del Norte and Dalipuga and back to the plaza for the program to open this year’s Iligan Week of Peace. "This is a celebration of peace," declared Juanito Enriquez Jr., chair ofCivil Society Organization Forum for Peace (CSOFP), a network of non-governmental and individual peace-builders in Lanao.This initiative to mainstream peace-building is in its third year now andtakes roots from community-based and organizational stand against war. Its theme today is "duyog sa pagpanday sa kalinaw” (join us in building peace). "War affected the lives of innocent civilians. Inspite of these, Iligan citymaintains its image as a peace zone," said Enriquez.As a peace zone, the city council passed Resolution No. 04-58 declaring every last week of March as "week of peace in Iligan City."The resolution states that Iligan is a zone of peace in Mindanao and an important refuge and sanctuary for displaced communities from both Muslims and Christians.Ted Juanite of Pagsabua sa Kalasan (PSK) Inc., read separate statements of Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, chair of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Alexander Marohombsar Lacawa from the National Unified Command of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF)."Peace is achieved when there is genuine de-escalation of violence and there is ultimate ceasefire when police forces become police civilian in character," Murad said.Lacawa's statement mentioned "that MNLF has organized itself as a unified command. With peace agreements, we are compelled to fight war against war and for sustainable peace." "As we renew our ties, we also celebrate this week of peace in friendships with Mindanawons, " Lacawa further stated.Abel Moya, program manager of Pakigdait Inc. which focuses on the Balik Inudaran campaign, said on peace-builders as a minority group: “We may be few who took the road less traveled by but we must continue embracing the challenges of culture for peace against violence and threats.""We may be different but we have the same objective: to achieve peace," said Engr. Alejandro Rondez, barangay councilor and vice chair of Iligan Barangay Councils (ILBACO).Forming into a circle, the participants at the plaza sang “Let there be Peace" as they released the white balloons.At 12 noon, peace advocates joined a hundred participants in the first Joint GRP-MILF Peace Advocacy and Information Drive at Elena Tower Inn. The Advocacy "tackled basic orientation on the ceasefire mechanisms."This day-long peace drive is primarily directed to 103rd Brigade soldiers to educate them about the ceasefire mechanism," said Brig. Gen. Benjamin Dolorfino, chair of the government peace panel in the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG).The meeting also discussed the functions of the CCCH, InternationalMonitoring Team, Local Monitoring Team, AHJAG, and of the comnunity-based Bantay Ceasefire."“Soldiers and MILF rebels around will also have solidarity night for them to get along with each other towards strengthening the ceasefire structures,” he said.Also part of the week of peace celebration was the opening at 2 p.m. at the city plaza of Laro ng Lahi or indigenous games;The week of peace will end with a civil society general assembly on March 30.The week-long activities are being supported by the city government, Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD) and VSO Peace Mindanao.


(with thanks to MindaNews)

POLITICS , PUBLIC RELATIONS AND PROMISES

by Samira Gutoc

Campaign speeches are now hitting the airwaves and aired in public functions too. Here in Lanao, in weddings where the elites and their angkan converge, politicians maximize their presence and make sure they are heard during the wedding proper. Maranao politics is one of the most colorful – add a 4th to the criteria of guns, goons and gold and you get another element to win – the girls or the women who are the most effective but low-key campaigners of their husband or their boss or whatever their relationship may be. The cost of vote-buying here is appalling – in one suspected town where drug-money flows, mayoralty candidates are supposedly courting voters for at least 250 US dollars per head.

Beside me at the Mamainte-Lucman wedding at Marawi Resort Hotel was MNLF Bangsa Bai and former assemblyman Zenaida Bubong. I ask her if MNLF Chairman Nur Misuari is serious about running for governor of Sulu, where politics is also pre-conditioned and the poor candidate without chance. She confirms Nur did file for candidacy but suspects this is just one of Malacanang’s patronage programs (to appease his followers).

We hear speeches from the candidates or their closest of kin who campaigned for them. Bubong rolls her eyes over the rewind of projections, public relations and promises made by the candidates who had a heyday last Wednesday and Thursday, stopping traffic to parade to the COMELEC office to file their candidacy. Here in the streamer city of the South, the trees are pinned overwhelmingly with smiling faces and names of party-list, senatoriables and consuming more space - the local candidates. In one speech in the wedding, it was refreshing to hear one gubernatorial candidate cite all the names of his closest rivals rather than attack them, as is the usual scenario. But expect a heated exchange between the closest of rivals to begin once the numbers in the surveys roll in. After all, it is a close fight in Lanao del Sur, thus the free zone declaration by Malacanang which means it is hands-off in endorsing just ONE CANDIDATE.

Each gubernatorial candidate here can claim bailiwicks, while having a loyal constituency and machinery to back them . There’s the incumbent governor – Aleem Bashier Manalao whose claim to fame is his charisma as a preacher and cult of women religious followers; Congressman Benasing Macarambon, a former MNLF commander and President’s closest ally here for standing by her in the impeachment trial; Marawi Mayor Omar Solitario Ali, another former MNLF commander, who aggressively gave the city a road system face-lift; and Engr. Mamintal “Bombit” Adiong, son of the former governor, who reportedly has more than 50 % of the votes of Lanao’s 39 mayors during a LAKAS-NUCD meeting in Davao City . May the best man win.

But please oh please, without the COMELEC under-the-table hanky panky, special operations coming in Marawi to make magic in favor of senatorial or party-list candidates, election harassments and killings. Just last month, a brother of a mayoralty candidate, who was vying against his brother was shot allegedly by followers of the brother. In this case, blood is no longer thicker than water. Power is. Bloody dangerous.

The good news is, a vigilant force is striving to drive away the criteria of 4 g’s to another g – good governance . On TV, while obvious politically-funded programs are aired, the discourse is about what is good governance and what the candidate can offer. It was great to see the internal revenue allotment (IRA) being discussed. In a dysfunctional society like this which has no media, public discussion and transparency thus silencing any form of dissent, the space for patronage politics is widened because political families can no longer claim to control the ira alone.

The majority poor have a unique opportunity to say no to vote-buying. Refuse that envelope distributed in kandori masquerading as good-will money. Refuse that envelope in the precinct. Hello, merong kapalit yon noh. What’s 300 pesos or 13,500 in exchange for paralysis of services during a full 3-year term of a mayor or governor ?

How do we combat corruption? The women beside me in the wedding had a strong suggestion – remove the ira., appoint not elect officials . It’s good we are speaking about this at last, without fear of reprisal or threat of harrassment. I hope these voices become louder so that we see a different future constructed ahead of us.

Party List (for Fun)

The following appeal was forwarded by a top Philippine broadcaster:

If you're planning to vote for a PartyList group in May, please consider your vote carefully, as only the right votes will be counted.
We need partylist groups who will truly fight for our needs as a people instead of their own vested interests or that of the formerly-wealthy elite. A partylist group that is not red, or yellow, or black and white. People who will truly have the well-being of the Economist and the Rule of Lawyers at heart!

It is in this light that we humbly submit to you a list of the PartyList organizations that we hope you will remember come May 14. We present to you... our M-R-P, our Most Recommended PartyList groups:

AAAAAAA - Alyansa ng mga taga-Alabang, Angeles, Apalit, Antipolo at Aklan na kamag-anak ng mga Arroyo (7A!)
Nominees:
1) Aaron Arroyo
2) Abel Arroyo
3) Ace Arroyo

AAAAAA - Asosasyon ng mga taga-Alaga ng Aquarium, Aso at Alimango ng mga Arroyo (6A!)
Nominees:
1) Adrian Arroyo
2) Agnes Arroyo
3) Alice Arroyo

AAAAAABA - Aktibong Atletang Atenista, Assumptionista At iba pang Alalay ng Barangay Arroyo (ABANTE ARROYO!)
Nominees:
1) Amy Arroyo
2) Anthony Arroyo
3) Arthur Arroyo

This appeal is brought to you by your tax pesoses, Comelec Chairman Ben Abalosses and most importantly, the Presidential Office of External Affairs... Guiding Worthy PartyList groups to Eternity and Beyond Since 2004!

Don't forget our slogan! "Team Unity, Totally Arroyo!" (T.U.T.A. all the way!)

p.s. Kung sakaling nalito po kayo sa mga ads ng aming mga kandidato, gusto lang po namin linawin na HINDI PO tumatakbo si Boy Abunda. Baka po sa 2010...

Jokes in the Philippines

ONLY IN THE PHILIPPINES :
1. Doctors go back to school to be nurses abroad.
2. Rats are normal house pets.
3. Soap opera is reality and news provide the dramas of life.
4. Actors make the rules and politicians provide the entertainment!

ENRIQUE ZOBEL: Half Filipino Half Spanish.
HENRY SY: Half Filipino Half Chinese.
JUAN FLAVIER: Half Filipino Half Igorot.
RAUL ROCO: Half Hawaiian Half Polo.
JOHN OSMENA: Half Filipino Half Filipina.
MIKE ARROYO: Half Filipino Half Pork.
AI AI DELAS ALAS: Half Filipino Half Moon.
GMA: Half...

A song for our Honorable (DAW!) na
Congressmen and Senators,
Mayors and Governors:

"BOOM CORRUPT CORRUPT,
BOOM CORRUPT CORRUPT,
KURAKOT, KURAKOT,
BOOM BOOM BOOM!"

MGA JOB TITLES NA DAPAT NANG PALITAN:
PRESIDENT- Pasimuno.
VICE PRESIDENT- Kunsitidor.
SECRETARY- Palsipikador.
TREASURER- Kubrador.
AUDITOR- Kasabwat.
PUBLIC RELATION OFFICER- Tsismoso.
REPRESENTATIVES- Pahamak.
SPOKESMAN- Bolero.
SGT-AT-ARMS- Tirador.
ADVISER- Taga sulsol.
(mas tama di bah?)

PILITA CORRALES - Asia 's Queen of Song.
LANI MISALUCHA - Asia 's Nightingale.
REGINE VELASQUEZ - Asia 's Song Bird.
GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO - "Mole of Asia "

General Assembly of Higaonon Tribe @ Midway Resort

The tribal councils of Higaonon from remote villages in Iligan city gathered in a general assembly, March 13-14, 2007 at Midway resort, to find resolutions on major issues that affect them.

These are resolving land boundaries using the 3-dimensional model Map; issues and concerns affecting CADT claim; strengthening cooperation, participation and leadership of claimants; IEC regarding legal clarification on legal issues arising from CADT application; action planning on CADT application and other matters.

Regina Antequisa, executive director of EcoWeb, Inc., a non-governmental organization, emphasized that “relationship may hinder the effective processing of our CADT noting that despite the 7 tribal councils within four barangays, disunity among them is daunting. Thus, the need to harmonize the relationship and expectations of the tribal council and those who helped intervened for the resolution of primary problems of the tribe.”

The assembly was also an avenue of the tribe to review the principles that buttressed the application for CADT and for them to reflect on the experiences and insights of other indigenous peoples groups applying for CADT.

Bae Norma Rivera of Panagtagbo shared her insights on the struggle of indigenous people for right to self-determination and the position of the coalition against their inclusion to Bangsamoro claim. She also encouraged them to participate in development plans for them avail the social services of the government.

“Our culture is dead, and if it’s dead our problems can’t be felt,” she said.

In assessing the status of the claim for ancestral domain, Mr. Quini Gine Areola of NCIP Region 10 discussed on the prior rights of the indigenous peoples over their ancestral domains; its governing self-delineation and governing principles; the traditional and customary rights and system of resolving conflicts; and the issues revolving ancestral domain claims. After this overview, he asked participants to group themselves.


Below are the problems and proposed resolutions identified and determined by the tribe councils:


1. overlapping of political boundaries in Limunsudan and Bukidnon; Kauyunan, Binasan and Opol
-problem on traditional boundaries (Basak, Binasan and Magayad)
-the community must declare and stand that they’d participate in CADT application in Iligan
-conduct IEC
-problems be solved via traditional customary laws
-consult the people in Magayag
-make a resolution that the tribal council asked the LGU to solve boundary conflict and to provide basic social services to the community
-solve the root causes of problems that lure IPs to find opportunities with mining and logging including the issues on selling of parcels of lands

2. overlapping of tenurial instruments (Limunsudan CBFMA; IFMA 005 owned by Sy family is within ancestral domain in Panorogangan and Rogongon; and CLOA owned by Alonto family)

-on IFMA: area of IPs be surveyed by LGUs; IFMA be recommended for cancellation because it affect our peace; it affects our livelihood, sacred ground; need unity

-on CLOA:-include the land covered by CLOA for delineation; allow them to harvest for 25 years and this be reclaimed for CADT; counter-claim an be filed later

-CBMFA- a resolution that CBMFA be included in the application for CADT (if applicants are IPs, land can be covered with CADT; if non-IPs are applicants, this will be subjected for FPIC

3.mining (presence of Impala mining, Pearl Asian and Dimansayka company in Ikog area with military’s participation )
-verify mining permits; those that have not passed the process of FPIC should be halted or disallowed to enter in the area; while CADT is on process, mining application be stopped;
Needs more EIC on mining and IP rights

4. selling portions of CADT and entry of migrants, including entry of mining operation like in Ikog and Magayad
-should be penalized based on our customary laws of the Lumad
-consult Datu Magayad should be penalized if proven guilty

5.bangsamoro homeland
-we should not be tied with the claim for bangsamoro homeland
-make a position paper of the tribal councils of their unified position for CADT and position to exclude the ancestral domain from Bangsamoro homeland

6. overlapping of political boundaries (e.g. sitio Magayad as part of Rogongon plan of transferring its political jurisdiction to barangay Dinsolihon of Cagayan de Oro city due to job opportunities out of mining.)
--on IFMA: area of IPs be surveyed by LGUs; IFMA be recommended for cancellation because it affect our peace; it affects our livelihood, sacred ground; need unity; need insights from other experiences(research)

7. lack of knowledge on IPRA (covering communities in Indulang, Lantud and Tinuntungan)
-conduct IEC

8. undefined roles and functions of traditional council
-Conduct workshop and consultation

9. entry to contracts (MOA) without consultation of the concern people
-Consensual decision


Engr. Venerando Bordoes, city planning officer, said that the issues on boundaries can be resolve by authorities in Iligan city.

The tribal councils with NCIP, city engineer and non-government development workers also gathered around the tri-dimensional map of the CADT. They discussed their CADC’s delineation.

They also discuss matters relating to leadership.

Carino Antequisa from Cafod, hope that the tribe’s title be secured the fastest way possible for them to enjoy these rights. It’s only today that the tribe can have a title as a collective entity, not as an individual. Its also a big opportunity for them to plan for the development of your ancestral domain. It is also in your lands where needed resources can be availed. IPs now are marginalized by developments.

“Your lands can be mine provided you consented. Threats can be resolved by your unity. May you strengthen your organization in the spirit of sharing and openness.
IFMA is a resource utilization instrument. In this case the subject is the forest. MPSA is another resource utilization instrument. CADT is a tenurial instrument. What is the implication? An IFMA area can be within a CADT.”

Usually lawyers argue that “your land is yours, IFMA is ours. We can resolve that by having IFMA to your benefit.” Remember the state owns the resources. The government’s role is primarily to mediate. It is important that you will have strong principles like asserting the loss of your sacred sites, your hunting grounds, and your practices within the CADT areas and desecration of our land marks.

Antequisa advised them on matters related to mining:

-don’t consent on mining without prior information
-consult lawyers
-mining divide communities
-if you’d negotiate, you will be plague with many offers
-there is a right for egress and ingress under IPRA
-1% royalty for IPs aren’t given exactly
-must have an accountant-consultant to make appropriate value judgments?

Dir. Tommie Labaon form NCIP Region X also shared some important points for CADT claim:
-is this claim by Lumads?
-do they have time immemorial possession? Do they practice their customary practices?
-basis for domain is the traditional landmarks and our lands; not the political boundaries.
on leadership
- there is a head claimant (this does not mean that he is empowered to make contracts. He is just a representative in he processing of CADT
- leadership structure- overlapping of structures of the barangays and of the traditional structures. In claiming CADT, the traditional leadership only is recognized.
- honorary datus are not traditional leaders

regional office give guides, technical supports, facilitate to unify the community, meetings
Ecoweb- financial support and community facilitations but demands peoples’ participation
for NCIP- you still lack knowledge on the role of NCIP for CADT claim

At the end of the assembly, they were able to craft their activity plans. (Copy can be accessed from Ecoweb Inc.)

They also identified the chief and head claimants of CADC in Binasan, Rogongon, Magayad, Limunsudan, Kalilangan, Panoroganan and Mainit.

The two-day assembly ended with an evaluation and a prayer.

For more informations on this matter, please get in touch with EcoWeb Inc.
email: ecoweb@gmail.com
fone: 063- 2210322

A Glimpse of the Human Rights Situation in Mindanaw & its Impact on the BangsaMoro

Daniel S. Conejar
Task Force Detainees of the Philippines2006

Devastating Wars
The past & present wars:

1997 (Total War) - leads to initial GRP-MILF Peace Talk
2000 (All-out-war) - The fall of Camp Abubakar
2003 (War on Terrorism)-In the pretext of running after renown terrorists in Maguindanao (Pikit & Liguasan Marsh)
2006 (All-out-war) – against the NPA & Muslim Insurgents & the recent Maguindanao war
…which spawned massive waves of human rights violations
The wars have caused the displacement of more than half million individuals.
Most evacuees have been displaced six times in a span of six years (2000-2006).

They have been subjected to gross human rights violations such as indiscriminate firing & shelling resulting to death, destruction of properties and displacement from their means of subsistence, torture, arbitrary arrest & detention and salvaging

Ustadz Abdulgani Pagao Asnalul Ajilul
Amil Hamja Ajilul
Asrin Salvin Sirhan Salvin Sawari Salvin
Samri Kamlon Wahab Ramalan
Sammy Gampong
Radzak Macarimbang Kusain Abedin
Ali Barabato Y. Rasuman Ismael Sarip
Datu “Jojo” Abubakar Kurais Talisanan
Omar Orat Abdulbasit Usman
Adaza Jamad Yunus Sahibol Anding
Islambuli Baginda Silbar Francisco
Abdulrahman Camili

TASK FORCE DETAINEES OF THE PHILIPPINES-MINDANAO
DOCUMENTED CASES OF HRV VICTIMS
FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY – DECEMBER 2006
Summary:
No. of victims: 30 individuals
Cases:
Arrest and Detention : 14 cases w/ 20 victims
Murder : (2) cases w/ 2 victims
Torture : (6) cases w/ 11 victims
Abduction/Disappearance : 6 cases w/ 8 victims (1 surface dead)
Salvaging : 2 cases w/ 2 victims

Stark Realities

Political detention still exists in this so-called Philippine democracy The peoples’ right not to be subjected to arbitrary arrest and detention has, time and again, been discounted.
- From January 2006 to present, the Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP) in Mindanao has been able to document 14 cases of arbitrary arrest and detention which affected 20 individuals. There about 80 political prisoners and detainees locked in 26 detention centers Minda-wide. More than half of them are Moro and most are charged with heinous crimes instead of rebellion.

Mindanao remains to have most cases of torture.
- From January-June 2006, TFDP documented 6 cases of torture involving 11 victims bringing the total cases of torture documented since 2001 to 60 and number of victims to 138 in Mindanaw alone

Summary Execution has become widespread. Davao City remains the capital of summary execution in the Philippines.
- 700 cases of summary execution are mostly documented in Mindanaw. These are only tip of the iceberg if victims of lawlessness brought about by the constant war in Muslim Mindanao and extra-judicial killings against petty criminals perpetrated by local government leaders in the disguise of maintaining peace and order are added into the list.

Prompted by the failed ambush attempt against Gov. Ampatuan, the recent war in Maguindanao left more than 1,300 families homeless and hungry
n The opening salvo of government all-out-war against the NPA happened in Bukidnon displacing some 200 families

The recent spate of bombings in Mindanao blamed on the MILF has serious repercussions on the stalled GRP-MILF peace talks

Muslims as victims of both terrorists and government repressive laws and policies
- The saturation drives, branding of Muslims as usual suspects for terrorists without proof, witch-hunting against Balik-Islam & foreigners and their arrests and detention continues…
and are likely to rise as anti-terror law is to be passed in Congress.

There is prevailing culture of impunity reinforced by discrimination and the defects of the justice system. Seeking justice in the court of law remains a daunting challenge for so far no perpetrator of human rights violations has been meted out with justice since martial law.

Over-all Impact on the BangsaMoro People
- Decrease of control over resources (such as land)
-Remained passive, cynical and apolitical, boosting the culture of silence
-Loss faith in court to attain justice
-View human rights violations as their pre-destination and way of life
-Mistrust among each other

Conclusion

-Above all the evidences of human rights violations, anti-HR laws and various attempts in the past (introduction of ID System, Death penalty law, Mining Act, CPR, EO 464, EO 1017, etc.) to infringe on our civil and political rights enshrined in the Constitution, again, bring us back into the shadow of martial law and the prospect of another political crisis.

- Given the flaws in our justice system, the abuse of authority, impunity in the country and unsolved crimes, the emergence of another bill to address terrorism is compounding the issues. The right approach to the problem of terrorism is strengthening the mechanisms that would address crimes in the country and a demonstration that agents of the government are not immune from justice aside from knowing how acts of terrorism originate from the shackles of poverty and debt servicing where human rights are sacrificed. Who actually terrorizes and who are terrorized?


Call To Action


+Mobilize group and other groups to work for human rights and to campaign against the anti-hr bills and proclamations;

+Prepare and equip communities with human rights and para-legal education and introduce network of support for vulnerable sectors

+ Document hr violations

+ Continue to seek justice in the Court of law

Hostage crisis over; detained soldiers, MILF freed

Press Release

MILF turns over captured AFP firearms and gadgets to IMT

The MILF-AHJAG, MILF-CCCH and Local Monitoring Team (LMT) turned over to the INTERNATIONAL MONITORING TEAM (IMT) the remaining AFP firearms and gadgets captured by MILF troops under CMDR MERCURY from elements of the AFP’s 51st IB led by LT RONALD DACAWI during a disrupted operation in Brgy. Taluan, Lumbabayabao, Lanao del Sur on May 11, 2007 against a notorious criminal group headed by Dimaporo Masacal alias Delta Force. This group was the object of a continuing military operation, which was started last year, by the AFP/PNP and BIAF that is being coordinated by the GRP-MILF AHJAG on the basis of a warrant of arrest issued by a court for multiple murder and multiple frustrated murder. The operation could have resulted to the capture of Delta Force and his gang had it not been for the untimely arrival of the PA soldiers, which resulted to the diversion of the attention of the operating MILF troops to the approaching AFP troops.

The remaining firearms and military gadgets that was turned over composed of 5 pieces of M16 Armalite rifles, 16 magazines with bullets, 2 pieces rifle grenades, 1 unit Motorola 2-way radio, 4 pcs bandoline and other minor items.

The ceremonial turn over that started at around 9:30 am at the LMT Headquarters, PMTC Bldg., Bangon, Marawi City was made by DR. SAFFRULLAH M. DIPATUAN representing the MILF AHJAG and CCCH to COL. NOURODEEN AL-HEGNI, Team Leader of IMT Team Site 2 stationed in Iligan City. They were assisted by LTC JASNI of the Malaysian Armed Forces, Ustaz Abusaliha Macacuna and Rudy Pacasum of MILF-CCCH, Engr. Alioden Sangcopan of MILF-AHJAG, Agakhan Sharief, Acmad Lao, Alim Khair Hanafi, Said Sheikh, Musa Diamla and Adona G. Orquillas of the MILF and GRP Local Monitoring Teams.

The event was witnessed by P/SSUPT Gani Asira, Deputy Provincial Director of the Lanao del Sur PNP Command, members of NGO’s and CSO’s, and different media organizations such as ABS-CBN, GMA-7, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Radyo ng Bayan Marawi, DXSM Radio and others.

After the end of the turn over at around 10:30 am, the IMT brought the items and proceeded to Kampo Ranao, Marawi City to hand over the same to the AFP’s 51st IB.

_____________________________________________________________________________

GRP-MILF
ADHOC JOINT ACTION GROUP
Cotabato City



DATE : March 12, 2007

FOR : ATTY, ABDUL M. DATAYA
Chairman, MILF AHJAG

FROM: DR. SAFFRULLAH M. DIPATUAN
Core Member, MILF AHJAG

SUBJECT: Operation against the notorious criminal Delta Force


I. Period covered: March 11 - 12, 2007

II. Units involved: Elements of BIAF, MILF under Cmdr Mercury

III. Narrative of the Operation: Since March 3, 2007, the MILF received reports from local residents of Brgy. Taluan, Lumbabayabao, Lanao del Sur regarding the return of the group of Mr. Elias Masacal alias Delta Force, a notorious criminal with standing warrants of arrest for multiple murder and multiple frustrated murder. Said group was the object of a Joint GRP-MILF AHJAG operation last year that resulted to the death of Lannie Masacal, son of Delta Force. Since then, Delta Force went to hiding but operation is on-going to locate him. Local residents also complained that the house of Delta Force is serving as a haven for re-packing Shabu for distribution to local dealers and pushers.

The MILF intel operatives conducted validation activities that yielded positive result. On the morning of March 3, 2007 Cmdr Mercury informed the MILF AHJAG that they are about to operate on Delta Force. As usually done during the time of the Marines, the MILF troops coordinated with the Philippine Army soldiers stationed in Poonabayabao, Lanao del Sur showing them the warrant of arrest. In turn, the Army soldiers gave assurance that they will monitor the operation and extend assistance if requested. High level coordination was made with the GRP AHJAG thru Gen. Benjamin Dolorfino who requested to temporarily suspend the operation against Delta Force until such time that the GRP AHJAG has replaced its Team 2 member who was transferred to Basilan. Unfortunately, the MILF was unable to withhold the operation due to time constraints. Furthermore, withholding the operation will enable the group of Delta Force to escape.

Shortly before noontime, while the MILF troops are closing in on the lair of Delta Force, Philippine Army troops from Campo Ranao, Marawi City suddenly arrived at the scene. They immediately arrested and disarmed several MILF troops assigned near the highway to block the possible exit of the criminals. At the same time, some of the soldiers from Marawi City were ordered by their senior officers to proceed to Brgy. Taluan allegedly to talk to Cmdr Mercury. Incidentally, when the soldiers were approaching, Cmdr Mercury received a call informing him that some of his men were captured and disarmed by the soldiers. Sensing danger and becoming suspicious of the Army, Cmdr. Mercury ordered his men to surround and capture the soldiers entering the area. The diversion of the attention of the MILF troops to the soldiers resulted into the eventual escape of Delta Force. The criminal group, however, allegedly suffered 2 casualties before they were able to slip out.

The MILF-AHJAG, in coordination with MILF-CCCH, LMT and the IMT Team Site 2 members stationed in Iligan arrived at the scene at around 5 pm to disengage the Army and MILF troops and, subsequently, diffuse the tension. After the negotiation three (3) MILF troops were released by the Army soldiers including their firearms and, on the other hand, Seven (7) Army troops belonging to the 51st IB stationed in Marawi City were also released to the IMT. Negotiation to return the firearms and other confiscated items of the Army troops is currently on-going.

IV. Result of the Operation: Two of the members of the gang of Delta Force were either allegedly killed or wounded but Delta Force, himself, was able to escape when the attention of the MILF troops was diverted to the entering Army troops. No fires were shot between the Army and MILF troops and no one was hurt.

V. Observations, Conclusions and Recommendations: The recently assigned Philippine Army troops in Lanao del Sur utterly lack adequate information regarding GRP’s policy on the primacy of the peace process and the existence of cooperation and coordination mechanisms between the AFP/PNP, on one hand, and the BIAF-MILF, on the other hand, in the pursuit of criminal elements and kidnap-for-ransom groups. The soldiers are also unaware that the said criminal group is being protected by a politician in Lanao del Sur who happens to be their relative. Furthermore, the lack of a GRP-AHJAG Team Site 2 member in Lanao del Sur who could serve as a focal or contact person is also another cause of the almost tragic incident that would have happened.

It is, therefore, very important that the postponed peace advocacy on March 4, 2007 for AFP, PNP and local government officials in Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte and Iligan City, must be fast tracked and conducted in the soonest possible time. In addition, the former GRP-AHJAG Team Site 2 member who was transferred to Basilan must be replaced as soon as possible by a senior officer of the Army soldiers presently stationed in Lanao del Sur or Lanao del Norte to serve as a focal person for coordination.


DR. SAFFRULLAH M. DIPATUAN

Related reports on this incident:

Hostage crisis over; detained soldiers, MILF freed

Written by Violeta M. Gloria/MindaNews

Sunday, 11 March 2007 21 37 44

ILIGAN CITY (MindaNews/11 March) – “It’s over.”Brig. Gen. Benjamin Dolorfino, chair of the government peace panel in the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) told MindaNews at 6:30 p.m. Sunday that the crisis in Lumba-Bayabao town in Lanao del Sur where at least 20 soldiers were held “hostage and considered captured” by the MILF since mid-afternoon was over “around 15 minutes ago.” Members of the Malaysian-led International Monitoring Team (IMT), the AHJAG, Joint Coordinating Committees on the Cessation of Hostilities (JCCCH) and rushed to the area to negotiate a resolution to the crisis. In the end, the MILF agreed to release the “more than 20” soldiers held hostage by MILF Commander Mercury while the government released the seven MILF guerrillas who were arrested and disarmed after the turned over to the soldiers a captured member of the Delta Force, allegedly “public enemy number one” in the area.
Dr. Safrullah Dipatuan, vice chair of the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) and a member of MILF peace panel in the AHJAG said the hostage of soldiers was not in retaliation for ongoing operations in Cotabato but a “a retaliatory move of the MILF after seven of them were earlier captured by Army soldiers while they were conducting operations against the Delta Force group.”
Dipatuan said the Delta Force was a notorious group charged with multiple murders. The AHJAG, composed of government and MILF representatives, has a warrant of arrest for the capture of these criminals.
Dolorfino said traced the crisis to the overzealousness on the part of both forces. Apparrently, he said, the MILF guerrillas were overzealous in pursuing elements of the Delta Force, their common enemy, that they went ahead in its pursuit operations without coordinating with the military and the police.
Dolorfino said that when the MILF elements turned over a Delta Force member they arrested, they were not allowed to leave and were instead disarmed.
Dolorfino said that when MILF commander Mercury heard about the arrest of the seven, he held hostage the soldiers in the detachment.
Dolorfino said the Army troopers had just been transferred to the area from Basilan and have yet to be apprised of the situation and the mechanisms such as AHJAG.
Dolorfino’s counterpart in the MILF, lawyer Abdul Dataya, told MindaNews, “solved na. Ceasefire mechanisms managed to solve it.” (Violeta M. Gloria/MindaNews)

Last Updated ( Thursday, 15 March 2007 14 48 05 )

An Appeal to Normalize the Situation in Midsayap

Midsayap March 12, 2007

The escalation of the conflict in Midsayap last March 6 to 7, despite the intervention of the International Monitoring Team (IMT) and the Joint Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (JCCCH), reveals a clear gap between the positive direction of the peace process at the national level policy and the negative influence of the military mindset on the ground. This gap mainly stems from the obvious lack of coordination displayed by the ground troops as well as their open disregard for the ceasefire agreement undermining the presence of the IMT.

During the dialogue at Southern Christian College in Midsayap today between the Commanding General of the 6th ID and the JCCCH and IMT, with the participation of the civil society, representatives of the affected communities voiced their frustration on the deplorable humanitarian situation they are experiencing. In the presence of Major General Nehemias Pajarito, commander of the 6th ID, they expressed their desire for the normalization of the situation through the immediate withdrawal of the troops from the affected barangays. Consequently, Major General Pajarito responded that this can be possible although only gradually and as long as someone will be made responsible for the security in the areas.
We, the undersigned participants of the above-mentioned dialogue, would like to put into writing the following recommendations:

The immediate repositioning of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) back to their original positions prior to January 25 or at mutually agreed positions that will be determined by the JCCCH.

The setting up of more Joint Monitoring Assistance Teams (JMATs) to closely monitor the situation in the area and ensure coordination between the AFP and the BIAF
Urging the GRP to define the role of the AFP in the peace process down to the last detail: from the conduct of troops relative to the ceasefire, coordination of troop movements in proximity to BIAF-MILF areas, the use of artillery and aerial bombing, etc. Specifically, we recommend that the November 12, 2003 memorandum on the AFP Guidelines on the Primacy of the Peace Process be reiterated and reinforced by the addition of clear cut guidelines and accountability.

Reorientation of the officers and men of the 6th ID PA and the BIAF-MILF on the direction, the guidelines and the interim agreements of the GRP-MILF peace talks, more specifically on the ceasefire agreement, its mechanisms and the role of the Ad-Hoc Joint Action Group and the IMT
Immediate action on the above recommendations so that classes in the West district of Midsayap comprising a total of 18 schools giving instruction and badly needed basic education to more than 4000 pupils can be resumed.

We strongly demand quick action to be taken on the earlier promises in terms of relief assistance, including rehabilitation and the operationalization of the inter-agency task force created by Secretary Jesus G. Dureza last March 1, 2007. We hope that the task force will finally put to rest the lingering land conflict in Rangaban, which is the root cause of this crisis. We call on the Local Government Units (LGUs) to take a lead role in coordinating all efforts to resolve this crisis peacefully.

We find this situation alarming and shocking to most of us who had always considered Midsayap, our home, a peaceful and secure place for our children.

While there had been killings and ambushes in the past, Midsayap has never experienced this open and sustained military presence and confrontation that forced our people to flee from their homes in a massive manner. Let us all unite to reclaim the peace that we rightly deserve. Ceasefire now!

Signed:
ALVARO O. SENTURIAS, JR.
Mindanao Peoples Peace Movement (MPPM)

FR. BERT LAYSON, OMI
Mindanao Peoples Caucus

DR. PORTIA MAPANAO
UCCP and Balay MinSug

YUL OLAYA
Save the Children

FR. ROMEO SANIEL, OMI
Notre Dame of Midsayap College

DR. ELMA NEYRA
MPW Inter-NGO Task Force for Relief and Rehabilitation

ROGER EGAS
Timuay Justice and Governance/MPPM

SUNNIE Z. JUMUAD
TRIPOD Foundation, Inc.

DR. ERLINDA N. SENTURIAS
Southern Christian College (SCC)

HABBAS CAMENDAN
Islamic Call Society

JUNALYN SUMLAY
MNLF Youth Leader

ELWYN NERI
PeaceBuilders Community

RAQUEL M. LAURENTE
Initiatives for International Dialogue (IID)

ALIX VALENTI
Initiatives for International Dialogue (IID)

ATTY. MARY ANN M. ARNADO
Mindanao PeaceWeavers

REXALL KAALIM
Bantay Ceasefire