Tag Archives: Mindanao

[In the Web] UN team seeks continuous humanitarian aid for Mindanao

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A young war evacuee holds his message of peace. Although the Mindanao armed conflict features a low intensity type of warfare, the 'all-out war' declarations and skirmishes have caused hundreds of deaths and thousands of displaced persons in 2000, 2001, 2003 and 2008. (Nartea and PhilANSA, copyright 2005

 

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews) –The United Nations (UN) has sent a team to the Philippines for a five-day mission on how best to provide humanitarian assistance to people affected by armed conflict and natural disasters.

Catherine Bragg, UN deputy emergency relief coordinator, and her team were in Cotabato City Sunday until Monday for field visits on the humanitarian efforts and meetings with government officials and other foreign aid agencies working in Southwestern Mindanao and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

She flew in to the country on Saturday and was slated to meet with Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa noontime Wednesday following a meeting with the diplomatic community to ask for support to humanitarian action in Mindanao, according to her schedule of activities furnished to MindaNews.

“At least 698,000 people continue to require humanitarian aid in central Mindanao. This includes those displaced, people who have returned home or resettled elsewhere, as well as other vulnerable groups in need of assistance,” she said in a statement.

UN humanitarian agencies and partners have this year appealed for $33.3 million to fund relief operations in Mindanao. Key gaps remain in health, food security, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene, shelter, protection monitoring and rehabilitation of basic social infrastructure.

 

Read full story at  http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2011/11/22/un-team-seeks-continuous-humanitarian-aid-for-mindanao/

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[In the Web] CHR: Rights cases highest in West Mindanao

Posted on by dars0357

Human rights commissioner Jose Manuel Mamauag (Photo by Ina Alleco R. Silverio, bulatlat.com)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines—Most cases of rights violations are in areas where the government’s war on terror is focused, according to the Commission on Human Rights (CHR).

In a report presented last week, CHR said cases of torture and enforced disappearances continue to pile up even under the administration of President Aquino, which is trying to project itself as an antithesis of the Arroyo administration.

In its report, CHR said the number of cases of rights violations involving soldiers and policemen is higher in Western Mindanao and other areas in Mindanao where the government’s war on terror is focused.

The report was presented in a training session for authorities on laws against torture and protecting human rights here last week.

CHR said from July 2010 to July 2011, at least 18 cases of torture have been recorded in Mindanao.

Eight people also disappeared while 64 others were summarily executed, said the report entitled “Recent Trends from 2010-2011” and presented by Christopher Louie Ocampo, an official of CHR.

“Western Mindanao has the highest (number of torture cases) with nine cases followed by Region 12 (Socsargen) with three and Caraga with three. In the case of enforced disappearances, Western Mindanao is still on top with four cases,” Ocampo said.

Human Rights Commissioner Jose Manuel Mamauag said active reporting by “aware stakeholders” led to the discovery of the cases.

Mamauag said increased awareness about human rights cases was a positive sign though it was saddening that cases of torture, disappearances and summary executions continue to happen.

Read full story at http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/95225/chr-rights-cases-highest-in-west-mindanao

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[In the Web] Fr. Fausto Tentorio, a martyr for indigenous peoples

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Fr Tentorio in happier times: Photos courtesy of Davao City based human rights group Barug Katungod Mindanao.http://www.balitapinoy.net/journal/736031/Eight_Bullets_Blasted_Life_Out_Of_Human_Rights_Priest

By NARDY SABINO,

General secretary,

Promotion of Church People’s Response

 

 

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it. ”(Luke 13:34)

“We express our deepest grief and indignation over the killing of Fr. Fausto “Pops” Tentorio, an Italian priest and missionary to the Lumad tribes of Arakan Valley, North Cotabato. There are not enough words to express our sorrow. Father Tentorio served the indigenous people in Mindanao since 1978 and was the head of the Tribal Filipinos Apostolate of the Diocese of Kidapawan until his death. He was gunned down in the morning of Oct. 17, 2011 by helmet-wearing, motorcycle-riding gunmen.”

“We mourn with the members of his religious congregation and share with them their grief. Father Tentorio’s ministry was a great testimony of how the Church can always be in the service of those who have been marginalized and made poor by the system.”

“We are greatly disturbed that such crimes continue to be committed with impunity under the current Aquino administration. Father Tenorio’s murder brings to mind the activists, rights defenders and church people killed during the presidency of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. This recent killing alarms us. Father Tentorio is the third of church people killed under present government—after Benjie Bayles, a member of Iglesia Filipina Independiente, and Abe Sungit of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines. All of them were advocates of justice, peace and the integrity of creation. Father Tentorio is the 31st church people and second Roman Catholic killed in such manner since 2001. We have but one call: Justice for Father Tentorio!”

“We demand that the Aquino administration hasten the investigation into his murder and make sure that justice is served. Stop the killing of our prophets!”

 

Read full story at http://opinion.inquirer.net/15623/fr-fausto-tentorio-a-martyr-for-indigenous-peoples

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[In the Web] PHILIPPINES: A stranger’s thoughts of a place in her country

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These boats with colorful sails has been used as posters for Mindanao in order to attract tourists until now. Photo from mindanaoboy.wordpress.com.

By Dianne Mariano
September 7, 2011

As a Filipino, born and raised in Manila, it is a shame to say that on my first trip to Mindanao I felt mixed emotions. I was happy because I had the opportunity of travelling to this part of the country, but I was also worried due to the stories of war in that land we called, the Land of Promise; at that I could not expect protection from the government on my trip there.

The dominant perception is that Mindanao is a violent place where there are conflicts between soldiers and the rebels and also the terrorist. This is what newspapers, radio and television usually report. Most the stories though are exaggerated and sensationalized but these were the images I had in mind: the island of Mindanao is a violent place.

While on the plane, I could not help but worry about my travel to the island. However, I realised that I had to set my worries aside and prepare myself for a worst case scenario. Questions were flooding my mind mixed with concern. What should I expect from the places where I will be going? Will I learn something from them? What can be done?

As I was deplaning, I just follow the other passengers. Apart from the soldiers near the gate the airport in Davao City is no different to the one in Manila. I saw a crowd of people taking shelter from rain in a tent while waiting for a ride. Later, a man approached me and asked me something but I could not understand anything. But a colleague told me the man was merely asking where we were going and whether we already had a car. I felt awkward. I thought to myself, we are both Filipino but I could not understand a very simple question from this man. I felt awkward. I felt as if I was a stranger in my own country.

You may read the full article at http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1109/S00148/philippines-a-strangers-thoughts-of-a-place-in-her-country.htm

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Dianne Mariano is a former intern of the AHRC. She wrote this article, originally written in Filipino, following her recent trip in Mindanao as part of her exposure programme.

About AHRC: The Asian Human Rights Commission is a regional non-governmental organisation that monitors human rights in Asia, documents violations and advocates for justice and institutional reform to ensure the protection and promotion of these rights. The Hong Kong-based group was founded in 1984.