The Bishops-Ulema Conference (BUC) is planning to launch a peace project to boost the peace process in Mindanao and the peace talk between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in April and May 2010. Msgr. Fernando Capalla, Archbishop of Davao and BUC Co-chairman, described this project as a “historical project”. The project is a Mindanao community-based consultation in which more than 300 focus groups, including about 6,000 participants, will meet to find a solution to the island’s conflicts. MILF officials have also expressed their support for the initiative so long as the Government does not take any active role in it.

On 15 September 2009, the Philippine government and MILF signed an agreement of framework of the International Contact Group (ICG), in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in recognition of the role of international non-governmental organizations and countries interested in the peace process.

However, while the peace talk was taking place, local residents in Mindanao were under the threat of the Philippine military, which was deployed to promote peace and development. Ironically the troops have disturbed the livelihood and rights of the residents. According to the source, two rights groups were labeled as the Communist Party of Philippines (CPP) by the military. Children were forced to leave schools for fear of the harassment by the troops. Not only was the food assistance to the communities was blocked, the residents were evicted for the troops’ encampment.

The conflict in Mindanao has induced serious human rights violations to the local communities, including Christians, Muslims and Indigenous People. To support the effort for peace progress in Mindanao, ACPP issued UA000614(9) in June 2000.


Sources:
AsiaNews, United Press International Asia

Since the collapse of peace talks in August 2008, the problem of internal displacement in Mindanao remained. The problem was intensified after the new clash between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the government troops in July 2009.

In the recent bomb attacks in July, which MILF was blamed but denied the responsibility, more than hundred people were injured and at least eight persons were killed. After the bomb attacks, it was estimated that there were more than 430,000 people displaced, according to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and other sources. Most of the displaced people were staying in the government evacuation centers. In spite of recognizing the increase number of internally displaced persons, the officials of the DSWD denied the severity of the displacement was a humanitarian crisis.

On 24 July, the Philippine government issued a policy directive to order a suspension of offensive military operations against the MILF, but the government also stressed it still remained in a defense mode to counter any attacks. The directive would be a positive sign to renew the peace dialogue.

ACPP has been concerned about the peace talks in Mindanao since 2000 and kept monitoring the situation in the region. UA000614(9) was issued in 2000.

Sources: IRIN, AsiaNews

Armed conflict broke out in Mindanao since mid August after the collapse of peace talk between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Philippine government.   In its report on 18 November, the Red Cross indicated that 46,350 people belonging to 11,734 families in nine provinces were displaced due to the violence.

Red Cross has been providing humanitarian aid to the victims of armed conflict.  Twenty refugee camps were set up in the areas of Cotabato, Lanao del Norte, Iligan City, General Santos City, Basilan, Sulu, Misamis Occidental, Sultan Kudarat, and Bukidnon.  It also rebuilt some of the houses for the victims for resettlement.

While Hotline Asia issued UA000614(9) to call for peace in Mindanao in June 2000, continued concern is necessary in the context of escalating violence in the region.

Source:
AsiaNews

Since the Supreme Court halted peace agreement between the Filipino government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in early August 2008, situation in Mindanao, southern Philippines, have been tense.  On 3 September, the government further announced the definitive cancellation of peace talks with the MILF.

As of in mid-September, it was reported that over 40 civilians had been killed and half a million people have been displaced, in the new wave of violence.  European Union deplored the indiscriminate killing of civilian on 16 September and urge both sides to resolve the conflicts through dialogue.

Despite the cancellation of peace talk, efforts by religious groups to promote peace did not cease.  Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales, the archbishop of Manila, has written a letter to the bishops and the Muslim religious leaders of Mindanao, calling upon them to "continue working and praying for peace".

Concerning decades of conflict in Mindanao, Hotline Asia issued UA000614(9) in June 2000 to call for peace between Muslims and Christians.


Source:
AsiaNews
AFP

On 10 August 2008, the Philippine government troops clashed again with Muslim rebels in Mindanao.  According to information from AsiaNews, the attack has displaced 220,000 civilians, as of 23 August.  This outbreak of violence was triggered off by the suspension of a peace agreement by the Supreme Court, suspending the territorial deal between the government and the rebels.  On 23 August, President Arroyo's press secretary, Jesus Dureza, declared that the government would not sign the agreement in its current form and would launch “widespread consultations” on the agreement among the Muslim and non-Muslims sectors in Mindanao.

Earlier, the peace agreement was reached between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front to expand the Muslim territories.  Just two days before the attack, the Supreme Court decided to halt the peace agreement after receiving a petition filed by Christian politicians in North Cotabato who reportedly feared losing power and resources to the Muslim communities.

In the past four decades in southern Philippines, more than 10,000 people have been killed. Concerning the unrest in the Mindanao, Hotline Asia issued UA000614(9) in June 2000.


Source:
BBC
AsiaNews
International Herald Tribune

US ambassador Kristie Kenney visited the main rebel base of Camp Darapanan in the southern province of Maguindanao on 19 February 2008 and met Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, chief of the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to restart the stalled peace talks. Mr. Murad said the peace talk would resume a month later after the meeting.

Concerned with the rise of Islamic fundamentalism and previous use of MILF training camps by terrorist organizations, the US government is providing military training and intelligence to Filipino forces in the region and pledged tens of millions of dollars in aid to the troubled Mindanao region once Manila strikes a peace treaty with the 12,000-member MILF.

Hotline issued UA000614(9) in support of the Muslim civilians in Mindanao and called an end to the Muslim-Christian conflict in the region.

Source:
South China Morning Post