23 April 2009

The ongoing operations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in Maguindanao towns had been inflicting tremendous harm and fear against civilians, cases of serious human rights violations soaring.

Targets of military operations since last Saturday are said to be forces of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, especially the group under Commander Ameril Ombra Kato.

Unfortunately, thousands of innocent civilians are the ones sustaining the brunt of the palpable indiscriminate military operations.

Accordingly, many civilians in the areas of operations – Shariff Aguak, Mamasapano, Rajah Buayan, Datu Piang, Datu Saudi, Datu Unsay, Guindulungan, Talayan, Talitay and Kabuntalan – were complaining of the abusive and excessive conduct of AFP operations.

Indiscriminate artillery strikes were launched by the AFP whole day round since Saturday. Consequently, those evacuees who had returned to their communities were again displaced. Worst, even those individuals, particularly in barangays Dasawao and Reina Regente, Datu Piang; and Penditen, Inaladan, Bagombong and Dalada in Mamasapano, who had yet to evacuate since the start of military operations against MILF in August were forced to evacuate to safer grounds.

Local sources said that before the military moves into an area, indiscriminate artillery strikes were being fired first. Lamentably, civilians are the ones being affected by this modus operandi.
     
Civilians are also complaining of the occupation of Ganta Elementary School in Datu Piang and several civilian houses by the military.

If the operations are directed against the MILF forces then why militarized, if not apply military rule, in civilian communities. Thousands of government soldiers are forcibly and illegally entering civilian houses to enforce law. But should law enforcement in civilian communities require thousands of heavily armed troops backed-up with dozens of tanks and military vehicles.

Accordingly, the AFP troops had recovered 20 plus firearms in the houses they raided which are owned by civilians. AFP source said the firearms belong to MILF forces. But MILF military spokesman, Eid Kabalu, clarified that the firearms are owned by government barangay officials.

Civilians opined that even if the government forces can capture the group of Commander Kato but still no one can tell if no more popular rebel commanders in the like of Commander Kato would be rising because of the abuses being committed by government soldiers against the innocent civilians.   

There is no escaping remembering the martial law days with the way the government soldiers had been conducting there operations in Maguindanao these days, MILF field reporter said.

Three innocent civilians were illegally arrested by the AFP troops yesterday. Benny Lagilay, civilian, was arrested by elements of 69th Infantry Battalion at around 1030am in Barangay Tuka, Mamasapano. Accordingly, Benny was rushing up saving their household valuables, which he earned during his overseas employment, when arrested by the government military. Until now he is nowhere to be located.

Mamaged Alabat and Kamaro Abedin were the other victims of arbitrary arrests by government soldiers yesterday at barangay Ganta Datu Piang, Maguindanao.

Only a single incident of actual firefight took place between the AFP and MILF forces since the start of military operations last Saturday. This encounter was the attack perpetrated by MILF guerillas against military forces at the latter’s detachment in Barangay Pansolm in Guindulungan.

There was no single firefight that took place inside the space of military operations contrary to AFP claims that MILF fighter had been attacking them, said information gathered by MILF from the area.

Protection and welfare of civilians must be highly observed in these continuing AFP operations. But how could this happen when Rohana Haron, 12 years old girl, was the latest victim of the indiscriminate mortar shelling by the AFP at Sitio Midtanda, Libutan, Mamasapano, Maguindanao. Rohana, accordingly, is now confined at rural health center for first aid treatment.

Movements and access of humanitarian organizations to reach affected civilians are now being controlled by AFP, said MILF sources.