Statement from IM4PeaCE - Task Force Bantay Bangsamoro Plebiscite

We vehemently condemn the explosions on the eve of the February 6 Bangsamoro Organic Law plebiscite in the Municipalities of Lala, Kauswagan and Sultan Naga Dimaporo of Lanao del Norte province and in Talayan, Maguindanao.

Though not that damaging but it created fears and uncertainties to the population participating in today's political exercise and the whole of the country. The said incidents also may ignite violence that would cause harm and danger to the civilian population.

We received reports that in North Cotabato and Lanao del Norte provinces politicians and avocates for Yes and No are imposing their will over the participating electorate.

Reports were also received on violent confrontations between Yes advocates and residents that resulted to injuries in a town in Lanao del Norte.

Despite, we call on the electorates to go out, participate and affix their choices in the plebiscite form.

We call on the electorates to remain vigilant and to strengthen our unity and commitment to peace and solidarity.

We call on the COMELEC and the agencies involve to ensure fair, clean and just plebiscite and its result.

We call on the COMELEC, NCIP, OPAPP and the Office of the President to hear and respond to the demand of the Erumanen Ne Menuvu tribe in North Cotabato on their appeal for a Free Prior and Informed Consent process (as stipulated in the Republic Act 8371 (IPRA) and United Nations Declaration on the Rights of the Indigenous Peoples that are clearly mentioned in the BOL) for the territories participating in the plebiscite that are happened to be part of the tribe's Ancestral Domain (CADT).

We also call on BIAF, AFP and PNP to be instruments of peace and realization of the right to suffrage of the people in today's exercise.

A total of 674,343 registered voters in Lanao del Norte and North Cotabato are expected to participate in today's plebiscite (February 6) to decide on the proposed inclusion of six Lanao del Norte towns and 7 municipalities for the 67 barangays of North Cotabato in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Task Force Bantay Bangsamoro Plebiscite
Interfaith Movement for a Peaceful and Clean Elections
February 6, 2019

#BantayPlebisito #BOL #BangsamoroVote

(Statement) Care Not Jail. Nurture their Future! Children are Not Criminals! - AKMK

While the nation is busy in engaging and closely monitoring the first round of the Bangsamoro Plebiscite on January 21, 2019, the House Committee on Justice sneakily and unanimously approved the lowering of the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 9 years old.

As we continue to aspire and work for a sustainable, inclusive and peaceful Mindanao, we the Alyansa ng Kabataang Mindanao para sa Kapayapaan AKMK believes and commit to promote inclusiveness and justpeace - a peace that is founded on justice and respect for human rights. We believed that development includes and prioritizes the welfare and basic rights of the youth and children. Thus, we stand with our belief that human rights is non-negotiable and so is our future.

It is also in this lens that we deal the issues affecting the rights and welfare of young people and children. We acknowledge that there is an increase to juvenile delinquency that stood nearly 40, 000 cases as recorded by the Philippine National Police. Yet, over 31.4 percent of children belong to poor families according to Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and more than 10% of the Filipino children are forced to work to support their family. Nearly 1.5 million street children faced multiples of problems pertaining to poverty, education, and health and economic. Thus, it must also be noted that from the records of the Philippine National Police itself that only less than 2% of all crimes in the country are committed by children. Why not purposely and seriously go for those who are using children in criminal activities than punishing the children.

Thus, we must examine the immediate and underlying issues of children committing crime. Today that the country is facing inflation, increasing number of very young people or children engaged in crime, commonly from stealing or being used by syndicates. Juvenile delinquency, as such has strong links to poverty and dysfunctioning families. The passage of the bill Lowering the Minimum Age of Criminal Responsibility (MACR) from 15 years old to 9 years old, would only divert our attention from the real enemies of the society and would endanger the future of the future generations. Children are blamed and carry out the burden of the incompetence and lame reasoning of the so-called honourables-in-suits and people’s tax-paid men and women in uniform against the syndicates and criminals.

What these children need is the enforcement or full implementation of the law that provides protection and establish alternative measures that will make them accountable without subjecting them to adult procedures and ensuring their rehabilitation so that they become useful and productive citizens. As such we support any initiatives and actions that would serve the interest of the children. Instead provide opportunities to disadvantaged children, especially those who experienced abuse, human trafficking, and extreme poverty by supporting them to complete their education or meet their basic needs as a child.

We appeal to the government to withdraw the proposed lowering of Minimum Age of Criminal Responsibility (MACR). We believe that the state and the society must give the children in conflict with the law the choice and the chance to change their lives and work for to better their future. There must be a thorough scrutiny to the issue of increasing rate of young people committing crimes rather than imposing laws that would only close doors for these children to become good citizens. Instead, punish the crime syndicates who take advantage of the children.

We strongly urge the government to ensure its law enforcement efforts consistent with its human rights obligations and to address accountability issue for the abuses and excesses by the security forces in the exercise of their duty. Furthermore, the fight against drugs and criminalities has to be complemented by the intensive fight against poverty, corruption, hunger and joblessness.

We condemn the violent and unlawful way of punishing delinquent children. This fight should not compromise human rights in any means. Instead, it should strengthen the justice system and enhance the delivery of social services to improve the living condition of every children.

We remain committed to stand firm with our convictions to build our future together amidst all odds.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#KillLoweringMACRBillNotTheChildren
#CareNotJail
#ChildrenNotCriminals

January 23, 2019
Rena Marie V. Gahum
Secretary General
Alyansa ng Kabataang Mindanao para sa Kapayapaan (AKMK)
akmk_peace@protonmail.com
Website: http://akmkforum.weebly.com/

(Pahayag) Boses ng Katutubong Kababaihan : POSISYON SA PAG SUPORTA SA Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL)

Kaming mga Katutubong Kababaihang Teduray at Lambangian mula sa Inged Fintailan (kababaihan) sa loob ng Timuay Justice and Governance (Indigenous Political Structure) na nagmula sa iba’t-ibang Munisipalidad ng Maguindanao ( South Upi, North Upi, Datu Blah Sinsuat at Datu Odin Sinsuat) ay kaisa sa pagsulong na maipasa sa plebisito ang Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).

Bilang kababaihan at stakeholders ng kapayapaan, kami ay kumikilala sa lehitimong karapatan sa sariling pagpapasya ng Bangsamoro at marapat lamang na ito ay suportahan. Samantala, kaakibat dito ay ang pagsulong ng aming lehitimong karapatan din sa aming sariling pagpapasya bilang mamamayang Non-Moro Indigenous People.

Nais naming bigyan ng dagdag na kaliwanagan ang posisyong pagsuporta na ito ayon din sa mga nakasaad sa Bangsamoro Organic Law (RA 11054) at sa Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA o RA 8371) para sa mga Karapatan ng mga Non-Moro Indigenous Peoples sa loob ng itatayong Bangsamoro Political Entity (Bangsamoro). 

Kami rin ay nanawagan -
• Kilalanin, irespeto at tiyakin ang karapatan ng mga katutubong kababaihang Teduray at Lambangian at lahat ng kababaihan sa loob ng Bangsamoro;
• Kilalanin, igalang at tiyakin ang mga karapatan ng katutubo o Non-Moro IPs sa kanilang Lupaing Ninuno (Fusaka Inged). Hindi sapat na ang kultura at tradisyon lamang ang kikilalanin kung walang Lupaing Ninuno dahil ito ay karugtong ng aming buhay bilang mga kababaihang Non Moro Indigenous Peoples;
• Sa kasalukuyang RA 9054 o ARMM ay hindi kinikilala at hindi tiniyak na maisakatuparan ang RA 8371 o IPRA na siyang dapat batayan sa pagkilala, pagprotekta at pagtaguyod sa karapatan ng mga katutubo sa Ancestral Domain, Self-Governance and Empowerment, Social Justice and Human Rights at Cultural Integrity. Dahil dito gusto namin na maipatupad ang IPRA at lahat ng IP Provisions ukol sa karapatan at kapakanan ng Non-Moro Indigenous Peoples na nakasaad na rin sa kasalukuyang BOL na isasalang sa plebisito.
• May reserved seats para sa kababaihan- hiwalay para sa Non Moro Indigenous Peoples Women Sectoral at para rin sa Traditional Women leaders.
• Magkaron ng malinaw, inklusibo at participatory na mekanismo at guidelines sa selection process ng mga representante.

Ang posisyong ito ay pinagtibay sa Umah Development Foundation, Incorporated, Cotabato, noong ika-walo (8) ng Enero 2019, bilang resulta ng pagtitipon ng mga Katutubong Kababaihang Teduray at Lambangian.

Nilagdaan ngayong ika- 11 ng Enero 2019.

NORENA SUENAN.
Tunggu Inged Fintailan

For more information, please contact:
Jenevieve Cornelio
Committee on Peace and Human Rights/Inged Fintaylan
Tel no: 09566414905

[Statement] Duterte’s MACR not about children, but Dictatorship -iDefend

Legislators aim to lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility (MACR) to below fifteen (15) years old in such a rushed manner, seemingly ignoring all scientific evidence and expert warnings, as if the country is being run down by children rampaging in the streets causing public mayhem and mass pandemonium. Neither the House of Representatives nor the Senate provide evidence that lowering the MACR will substantially contribute to solving criminality or drug trafficking.

But before they were children in conflict with the law (CICL) they were children living in poverty (CLIP), vulnerable to abuse, neglect and exploitation. Many of them have become the President’s “collateral damage” in his anti-drug operations; thousands have witnessed extreme violence, became traumatized orphans bereft of adult supervision and social guidance. They will never trust the government again.

In lowering the minimum age of criminal responsibility, our children are sacrificed as an excuse for lousy law enforcement, inept crime prevention and failed development policies. Instead of enacting national protective and rehabilitation mechanisms for poor minors affected by the multiple impact of deepening poverty, organized crime and extrajudicial killings, government wants to punish them for these social maladies.

This is typical of government’s quick-fix, trigger-happy, corruption-bred policies that are solely focused on terrorizing the population in the guise of addressing crime. House Bill 8858 is not about protecting children, but a political deal between House Speaker GMA and President Duterte that must be accomplished before the election period starts.

Lowering the MACR is yet another brick laid in the foundation of Duterte’s authoritarian project. It is railroaded on the people while extrajudicial killings continue to victimize drug suspects, political critics, peace activists and human rights defenders. It is pushed to demonstrate Duterte’s drive for dictatorship. And dictatorship must be established if Duterte’s cronies and allies are to continue to dominate and profit from the country’s political and economic life with impunity.

Thus resisting dictatorship is to resist the lowering of the MACR, and all other proposed “death bills” that Congress enact which have nothing to do with crime prevention, national reconciliation, poverty alleviation, peace and security or social justice.

(Parangal) Hanggang sa muli aming Kasamang Jo Demit - MindanaOne

Di magmamaliw ang iyong ala-ala at ang ating mga adhika. Di ka malilimot.

PAALAM SA NGAYON!

Si Kasamang Jo ay isang lider at aktibistang namulat sa kilusang masa. Hanggang sa naging isang tagapanguna sa kilusang kababaihan at iba pang kilusang panlipunan s Mindanao.

Ang kanyang adhika para sa isang makatarungang lipunan ay mas nagdala pa sa kanya na makisama at makibaka para sa karapatan sa lupaing ninuno at sariling pagpapasya ng mga Lumad at Bangsamoro, para sa Kalikasan laban sa mina at iba pang mapangwasak na proyekto sa pangalan ng kunwang kaunlaran, karapatang pantao at hustisya.

Siya ay matapang na tanggol ng mga maliliit at inaapi. Tagasulong ng interes ng kababaihan at mamamayan saan mang larangan kahit sa mga mekanismong pampamahalaan.

Hindi napapatiklop ng pagbabanta at anumang kahirapan sa pagpapatupad ng tungkulin.

Isa rin siyang masayahin at maalalahaning kasama at mapagmahal na ina, kapatid at anak.

Ngunit sa maagang edad ay hinila sya ng kamatayan sa kanyang huling hantungan. Ang kahirapan at kawalan ng sapat na pasilidad pangkalusugan sa bansa ay mas lalong nagpadali sa kanyang pagkawala. (Enero 26, 2019).

Ipinapaabot din namin ang aming pakikiramay sa mga naulilang pamilya, kaibigan at kasama.

Tuloy ang Laban KASAMANG JO!
PAALAM NA MUNA SA NGAYON!
HANGGANG SA MULING PAGKIKITA!

January 26, 2019

(Statement) For a Development that Search and Nurture - NAMAO

Congratulations to the 39th foundation day of the Municipality of Sibagat and to the 18th year of Celebrating Bagat Cultures and Abundance (Bagat Festival).

As advocate organizations, we are glad that Ecological Agriculture have been put forward and been in the table of the municipal development framework and policies.

The Farmer's Summit held last year and the recommendations presented is a good start for a development that do not search and destroy the blessings of nature instead propagates and nurtures.

To the Municipal Local Government leadership and all stakeholders, let us all celebrate our achievements and march forward without forgetting our treasured roots and thank you for inviting us (as an organization) to this year's celebration. The same gratitude to the Municipal LGU for supporting us and the small ecological farmers.

Once again, CONGRATULATIONS!

In the name of NAGKAHIUSANG MAG-UUMANG ORGANIKO,

Torib Bernadas
Chairperson

Together with

Kahugpungan sa Kababayen-an alang sa Kalambuan

Anahawan Tribal and Organic Farmers Association

January 30, 2019

(Statement) On the Bangsamoro Right to Self-Determination and the Ratification of the Organic Law

January 3, 2019
Search, Preach and Reach Peace!

We, as an interfaith movement of peace sowers, builders, organizers and nurturers belonging to Interfaith Movement for Peace – Mindanao (I MOVE PEACE) stand in solidarity with our Bangsamoro and Non-Moro Bangsamoro peoples in this another historic moment in the struggle for the Right to Self-Determination of the Bangsamoro.

As a new organization, we are still in our process of understanding the dynamics and relationships of the efforts for reforms, human rights, collective and individual rights, justice and equality at the various levels.

Peace as a broad and abstract condition, we believe that it is the fulfilment of the entitlements as creations of God. Peace for us is the relatedness of the harmony of self, neighbours and fellow creations, nature and God. Let us not forget that we are tasked and obliged to care for each other and all creations as good stewards of the Earth - We are part of the whole us.

With this framework, we respect the Right of every nation and people to Self-Determination. And in our context in Mindanao it is the Right to Self-Determinatuon of the Bangsamoro and the Indigenous People.

We support the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law as seen by the Moro people themselves as an improved expression of their Right to Self-Determination today. We pray for a peaceful, democratic, free from fear and violence plebiscites come this 21st of January for the Bangsamoro core area including the cities of Cotabato and Isabela in Basilan and 6th of February for the expansion territories (the whole of Lanao del Norte to decide for the inclusion or not of the 6 municipalities to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) and some Municipalities of North Cotabato for the 67 barangays to be included or not in the new political entity. In addition, results and outcome should be respected by all stakeholders.

On the same note, we hope that differences in faiths and religions should not divide us all or be not become reasons to marginalize and discriminate the others.

Let us all shape the peace and development that is not divisive and destructive but instead will empower our peoples and communities and unify us all.

Let us strengthen our unity!

Rev. Msgr. Ariston Sasutana
Chairperson
Interfaith Movement for Peace - Mindanao

(Statement) Our faith and Our commitment to Peace, Our weapon. - I Move Peace

As believers and one community of diverse religious denominations and cultural backgrounds,

As stewards of and on Earth and the creations including the peace and harmony in all communities,

As peace sowers, builders, preachers and organizers we join the whole of humanity in mourning for those souls that perished because of the violence one after the other - the recents are the Mt Carmel Cathedral twin blast that killed 20+ and injured more church-goers and security personnel in Jolo, Sulu and the Talon2, Zamboanga City Mosque grenade blast that killed 2 and injured four religious leaders,

We call for an imediate and thorough investigation and bring light and justice to these incidents without instigating and inciting more war, violence and hatred. We call on the same across communities to refrain and or stop dissemination and spreading misinformation and misconceptions that would only worsen the situation.

Nowadays, there are on-going attacks, threats and harassment against religious leaders and denominations standing with the poor, defending the environment and fighting for human dignity,

There are also reports of displacements in the countrysides of Agusan, Surigao and Compostela Valley provinces due to the armed confrontations between the government forces and the communist rebels affecting mostly Indigenous Peoples,

On the other side politicians got no stopping of spending thousand of millions to promote themselves in televisions, radio, public gatherings to make their names retain in the voter's memory till May 2019 midterm elections.

We call on all believers and peoples to stay united and remain committed to our vision of a peaceful and just Mindanao and society where all of us as a COMMUNITY of diverse cultures and faiths live in harmony and abundance.

Peace for us must be the existence of justice and fulfillment of human rights, human dignity and ecological development in line with our prayers for a salvation of the material life and our souls.

Let us always remember that Peace and Justice is in our religions and faiths but not hatred and terrorism.

Interfaith Movement for Peace - Mindanao

January 29, 2019

(Statement) Let the peoples and communities decide freely on the February 6 Bangsamoro Plebiscite

As the day comes close for the province of Lanao del Norte and municipalities of North Cotabato residents to decide over for the inclusion or not of their neighboring municipalities anb barangays to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, let us call for a peaceful and free February 6 Bangsamoro plebiscite.

Not less than 600,000 registered voters are expected to participate.

Let the people and communities decide freely. We recognize, respect and support this process as a substantial part of the struggle of the Bangsamoro people for the Right to Self-Determination.

But, it is a public knowledge that hopefuls for the May 2019 midterm Elections are using the BOL Plebiscite as a platform to advance their candidacy maligning the Right to Self-Determination discourse making it more complicated and problematic in the ground. Now this process and the right itself is challenged: somehow in the process have divided its own people of more than many reasons and maligned by partisan and traditional politics have made it more in doubt as to the credibility of the result. The more that we all have to reclaim its credibility and legitimacy.

Thus, let us all call for all stakeholders to safeguard the sanctity of the process and not the vested interests to prevail. At the end of the day, Bangsamoro is a promise for change, peace, unity, respect, recognition and progress and should be of, by and for the people. That promise should be real in all aspects of the process towards building the Bangsamoro and in establishing the details.

The February 6 plebiscite should not be a showdown as a prelude to the May 2019 elections though it has been. Commission on Elections MUST reconsider its disqualification grounds for May 2019 hopefuls adding the interventions in the plebiscite as one.

Despite of the directive from the higher rank, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police should maintain its non-partisan principle in the process and help in the realization of a credible and peaceful plebiscite.

Moro Islamic Liberation Front and its Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces should police its rank preventing from involvement in any untoward incident and help in making the plebiscite peaceful and free.

That forces of AFP, PNP and BIAF be instruments for the free participation of the voters and not to militarize the supposed to be democratic exercise.

MindanaOne
February 4, 2019

(PAHAYAG) MALAYANG PLEBISITO! MALAYANG KINABUKASAN! - AKMK - Lanao del Norte

 

Mga Lider ng mga Organisasyong napaloob sa AKMK-Lanao del Norte matapos ang talakayan hinggil sa BOL, Karapatan sa Sariling Pagpapasya, ang Kabataan at ang Plebisito. Kasama sa larawan ay ang kinatawan ng Mindanao Peoples' Peace Movement na si Johnny Balindong na nagbahagi tungkol sa BOL at Plebisito.

Ang Lanao del Norte Cluster ng Alyansa ng Kabataang Mindanao para sa Kapayapaan (AKMK) ay naniniwala na ang kapayapaan ay nakaugat sa pagkilala sa karapatan ng bawat katauhan (Lumad, Bangsamoro, at Migrante) kasama na dito ang Karapatan sa Sariling Pagpapasya, pag-iral ng katarungan, pagsakatuparan sa karapatang pantao at pag-unlad na hindi mapangwasak sa kalikasan. Ang AKMK bilang alyansa ng mga organisasyong kabataan at indibidwal sa Mindanao na nailuwal sa panahon ng all-out-war sa Mindanao noong 2001 ay mahigpit na yumayakap sa kahulugang ito ng KAPAYAPAAN. 

Sa Mindanao ay nasa panibagong yugto ng kasaysayan ang pakikibaka sa Karapatan sa Sariling Pagpapsya ng Bangsamoro. Matapos magkaroon ng Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro ang Gobyerno ng Pilipinas at Moro Islamic Liberation Front bilang pinal na kasunduan noong taong 2014 ay andito na tayo sa panahon ng pagbubuo ng bagong Autonomous political entity. 

Ito ay mahalaga sa buhay ng mga kabataan. Bilang isa sa mga sektor na naiipit sa digmaan, paglikas, pagka-ulila at pagkamuhi ay mahalagang bahagi ito ng aming kasaysayan at buhay. Sa magkabilang panig, ang nasa unang hanay ng digmaan ay naroon ang mga kabataang mandirigma na parehong naniniwala sa kanilang ipinaglalaban kahit na buhay pa ang katumbas. Kaya, lalong mahalaga para sa kabataan ang isang mapayapang pagresolba sa sigalot na kasama ang lahat na sector ng lipunan at mga mamamayan. 

Sa pamamagitan ng plebisito ay niratipika ng mayoriyang 1.7 milyong botante ng mga probinsya at syudad ng dating ARMM at Cotabato City ang Bangsamoro Organic Law na pumalit sa dating Republic Act 9054 o ang batas na gabay-balangkas sa nasabing pampolitikang mekanismo ng Karapatan sa Sariling Pagpapasya ng Bangsamoro. Sa darating na Pebrero 6 ay idadaos ang ikalawang Plebisito para sa iba pang lugar na nais pumaloob sa Bangsamoro. 

Kasama dito ang probinsya ng Lanao del Norte kung saan magpapasya kung sang-ayon o hindi na pumaloob sa BARMM ang anim na munisipyong bahagi nito at ang mga munisipyo ng North Cotabato kung papayag din ba ang mga residente nito na ilan sa mga barangay nito ay mapaloob na sa bagong rehiyon. Kasama ang mga kabataan sa Lanao del Norte na magpapasya dito at titiyakin naming magiging aktibo kami sa pakikiisa at sa paghubog nito. 

Ipinapanawagan natin ang MALAYANG PLEBISITO sa darating na Pebrero 6. MALAYA mula sa paninindak, pananakot at pagdikta sa desisyon ng mga residente. MALAYA mula sa pang-iimpluwensya ng mga politiko at rebeldeng grupo sa halip ay KILALANIN ang PUNDAMENTAL NA KARAPATAN NG MGA MAMAMAYANG MAGPASYA. 

Kasama sa pangarap at partisipasyong ito ay ang mga panawagang: 

- PAGPUKSA sa Dinastiya at Kurapsyon 

- Makabuluhan at Substansyal na Representasyon sa mga Kabataan 

- Substansyal na Pagsakatuparan sa Karapatan at Kagalingan ng mga Kabataan 

- Pantay na Pagkilala sa mga Karapatan ng mga mamamayan (Non-Moro Indigenous Peoples, Bangsamoro, Migrant Settler’s Descendants) 

- Ekonomiya at Kaulanrang Hindi Mapangwasak sa Kalikasan at Buhay at Hindi Yuyurak sa mga Karapatan ng mga Mamamayan 

- Pag-iral ng Pamamahalang taliwas sa kasalukuyang maka-iilan at malayo sa mamamayan. 

Panghuli, ipinapanawagan namin sa lahat na mga KABATAAN sa Lanao del Norte at mga Bayan ng North Cotabato na kalahok sa Plebisito ngayong Prebreo 6 ay lumabas at lumahok nang MALAYA para sa isang MALAYANG KINABUKASAN. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Alyansa ng Kabataang Mindanao para sa Kapayapaan-LANAO Cluster / YAPAK Artists Collective – Lanao del Norte /  Kabataang Magsasaka ng Lanao del Norte / Liga ng Makabagong Kabataan – Lanao del Norte / Pigkarangan Youth Service Organization / Kabataang Kababaehan para sa Kapayapaan – Lanao

Pebrero 4, 2019