The ongoing military operations in Maguindanao against purported terrorist groups is threatening the ceasefire between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. But more important, civilians are uninformed and unprotected in the government assaults. Given the escalating AFP attacks in Maguindanao, Bantay Ceasefire reiterates the March 13, 2003 Memorandum of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to then Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes, enumerating several points that AFP field commanders should consider whenever they make tactical decisions and conduct military operations. The order came after the February 2003 major AFP assault in Buliok which displaced up to 300,00 civilians and resulted in a humanitarian disaster.
The ongoing military operations in Maguindanao against purported terrorist groups is threatening the ceasefire between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. But more important, civilians are uninformed and unprotected in the government assaults.
Yesterday (Feb. 1) Col. Jerry Jalandoni of the Army’s 604th Infantry Brigade in Maguindanao threatened over Cotabato City TV stations a major military offensive against members of the “Abu Sofia” allegedly hiding in the marshes of Maguindanao if the group will not surrender by February 12. The warning came after Southern Command chief Lt. Gen. Alberto Braganza ordered last January 27 airstrikes against a breakaway MILF leader and reported Abu Sayyaf/Jemaah Islamiyah elements in Butilan Marsh in Maguindanao. The air and ground assaults displaced residents of eight barangays in the municipalities of Datu Piang, Guindulungan, Talitay and Mamasapano and wounded civilians caught in the open during the assault.
Given the escalating AFP attacks in Maguindanao, Bantay Ceasefire reiterates the March 13, 2003 Memorandum of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to then Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes, enumerating several points that AFP field commanders should consider whenever they make tactical decisions and conduct military operations. The order came after the February 2003 major AFP assault in Buliok which displaced up to 300,00 civilians and resulted in a humanitarian disaster.
The most relevant points in the memorandum relate to the safety and protection of civilians, which are as follows:
- The least possible impact of such operations on the larger community of non-combatants, especially on their livelihood and normal conduct of everyday life;
- Minimum evacuation from homes and/or areas of food production;
- Close coordination with pertinent agencies of government within his or her area of responsibility when socio-economic dislocations are expected or become imminent as a result of such operations;
The civilian displacements, property damage and even wounded civilians – documented by a January 28 Bantay Ceasefire fact-finding mission – attest to the fact that the memorandum is not being followed in the Maguindanao attacks. Uninformed civilians were in their homes or farms doing daily tasks when the attacks commenced.
Bantay Ceasefire appeals to the armed forces to strictly follow the guidelines by their Commander-in-Chief meant to lower the impact of military operations on civilians.
Secondly, Bantay Ceasefire considers the current fighting in Maguindanao exceedingly alarming and calls upon the AFP and the MILF to strictly observe and implement the ceasefire mechanisms in settling disputes and complaints for any violation of the ceasefire. The government and MILF peace panels had already agreed during its December 21, 2004 exploratory meeting in Kuala Lumpur to operationalize an Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) in the isolation and interdiction of criminal and lawless elements operating in, or near, MILF communities and areas.
Following these interim guidelines, Bantay Ceasefire calls on the AFP to refrain from taking unilateral action in pursuing alleged members of terror groups in or near MILF communities and areas to avoid unnecessary armed confrontation with the MILF.
Lastly, Bantay Ceasefire also calls on the MILF leadership to immediately investigate and take appropriate disciplinary action on Kumander Wahid and other alleged MILF members who attacked the military detachment in Maguindanao last January 10, 2005, in open and clear violation of the ceasefire agreement.
While soldiers on both sides are trained for war, civilians are not. There are already legal instruments including United Nations declarations on the protection of civilians in armed conflicts. Let us remember in whose name this war is being waged and protect the civilians.
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