MT. FIRIS REVISITED BY HOSTILIES

Hindi available ang buod na ito. Mag-click dito para tingnan ang post.

Update from the ground: Keep Supporting Typhoon Vinta Survivors - MIHANDs

Lanao del Norte Incident Command Center Updating and Planning

As Typhoon Vinta (Tembin) left many sorrowful memories of the holiday season, MIHANDs grassroots member organizations in Lanao del Norte namely DKMP, LAFCCOD and KILOS KA-Lanao, who are typhoon survivors themselves did not falter their resolved to become resource for others and rose from the mudflows to help their families, friends and neighbors. Amidst this difficult circumstance, they immediately reactivated their quick action teams and formed a coordinated Incident Command System.

To support this initiative, MIHANDs immediately posted an appeal for financial and material support for the affected families since December 23, 2017. We did this because being a grassroots-based humanitarian network, we do not have stockpiles of relief materials readily available for dispense. But we find strength and inspiration from the over-flowing commitment and spirit of volunteerism from our grassroots member-organizations all over Mindanao. We also enjoy the friendship and strong spirit of solidarity from friends, partners and supporters inside the Philippines and abroad.

Many thanks to you all those, who in whatever means and ways, responded to our Appeal posted on December 23, 2017; hence, with the material and cash donations collected by MIHANDs since then, we are able to extend some support to 64 farmer-households with 5 kilos organic rice, hygiene kits and cleaned used clothing. This was distributed to farmers in different partner communities of DKMP on December 31, the New Year’s Eve. Some photos are posted here.

Another 100 fisher folk-households received today and tomorrow (January 9-10, 2018) organic rice and relief materials packed by and distributed by LAFCCOD in their partner fishing communities. Photos of these activities will be posted soon.

Also today, MIHANDs Health Team conducted a detailed planning workshop with our Lanao del Norte Center Command for the upcoming 1st Round of Medical Mission using Ear Acu- Detox set on January 12-14, 2018 in 2 sites – one in Maranding Arcade Evacuation Center and to the house-based survivors of Barangay Rebe, both in Lala Municipality. Thanks to NADA Philippines - our partner in this continuing health mission.

All our humanitarian response happen because of your trust and unwavering support - our members, friends, supporters and partners. Thus, we cannot thank you that much from the bottom of our heart.

We will continue the humanitarian relief mission of helping disasters survivors in Marawi, in Lanao, in Mindanao and elsewhere. And as such, any help and donations from you are very much welcome.

For the next updates for our ongoing humanitarian initiatives, we promise to keep you posted! Soon we will also be sharing with you stories of how communities and peoples from the ground brave the wrath of Typhoon Vinta.

----
Many thanks to our network members, volunteers, donors and supporters that make our humanitarian missions possible.

We are posting again our channels for donations, in case you want to be part of these humanitarian missions:

Through Paypal : paypal.me/janpesons

Through Bank Transfer :

Account Name : Mindanao Humanitarian Action Network
Account No. : 9353-1085-54
Bank Name : Bank of Philippine Islands (BPI)
Bank Address : Quezon Avenue, Iligan City
SWIFT Code : BOPIPHMM
Thank you so much!

(MIHANDs is a movement of at least 50 grassroots organizations for humanitarian actions against disasters convened by TRIPOD and RDRRAC since 2013).

Organic Rice produced by Lanao del Norte farmers packed for TS Vinta Survivors

Volunteers packing

Sorting of Clothings

Ready for distribution

Updates thru: 

Multi-Stakeholders Initiatives for Humanitarian Action against Disasters

Pictures: MIHANDs

AN APPEAL FOR THIS YULETIDE SEASON for the TYPHOONS URDUJA and VINTA Victims

(Updated as of 5PM December 24, 2017)

As the world celebrates the Yuletide Season, many people in several parts of the Philippines, mostly poor families, are badly hit by the two succeeding typhoons - Typhoon Urduja (International Codename Francisco) last week to Typhoon Vinta (Codename Tembin); that left not only huge amount of damage to farms, properties and livelihoods but also severe physical and psychological injuries and many deaths.

Our network partners from Lanao del Norte namely DKMP, LAFCCOD and KILOS KA-Lanao have reported to have their houses and offices submerged in water when a surprising flashflood rushed in last night and hit their areas. Some municipalities severely affected are Munai, Salvador, Sapad, Tubod, Lala and Kapatagan municipalities. As of this time, the Provincial Government of Lanao del Norte reported that 42 persons died and 336 are still missing while 4,500 people are spending Christmas day in evacuation centers. Post disaster assessment is ongoing to determine the actual damage caused by the flooding in this area.

In Lanao del Sur, Assemblyman Zia Alonto Adiong of the Provincial Crisis Committee reported 27 casualties from 9 municipalities of District 1 and 2. Most of the casualties he said are from the municipalities declared watershed areas in District 1 namely Bubong, Ditsaan Ramain and Buadipuso Buntong. On the other hand, in Zamboanga Peninsula 56 bodies were retrieved and thousands of families are on evacuation.

Several farms, houses and road networks are also damaged by the flashflood and heavy flooding in Maguindanao and North Cotabato. These are the same areas reported to have sporadic skirmishes and fleeing civilians past few weeks ago due to increasing armed confrontations between the government forces and the New People’s Army.

Stories from the survivors reveal a common experience – they were caught by surprise when heavy muddy water swiftly flashed down from the mountains bringing in along several debris – mud soil, stones, tree trunks, etc.; - a blatant indication of the worsening ecological destruction (such as logging and mining) that has never been sufficiently addressed to in contrary to reports of improved and good governance. While local government units insist that enough early warning and advisory was given but the people chose to remain stubborn.

Not so long ago, 6 years to be exact, when we heard almost of the same sad story of a killer flashfloods named Typhoon Sendong (Washi) that hit the cities of Iligan and Cagayan de Oro. Today, many Sendong survivors are still waiting for the promised reparation and rehabilitation programs. Not to mention the need to build the capacities of the survivors and those others who by then were lucky not directly affected yet remain vulnerable because of poor living condition.

Typhoon Urduja and Typhoon Vinta did not leave without giving a taste of the sufferings to the survivors of the Marawi Crisis where tents and evacuation centers are also flooded with rainwaters. As of now, when only around 20% of the IDPs population was able to return to their original places in Marawi majority remain languishing in their tents and crowded evacuation centers and host families. Specially, that humanitarian aids have come less and less as the days go by.

In this Yuletide Season, may we reflect on what wrongdoings these poor Internally Displaced Persons may have done for them to have experienced such great punishment? Are we just to wait until the next typhoon, or earthquake, or armed conflict to happen again?

Our prayers is for the rest of the days of 2017 be joyful amidst the current humanitarian crises and may the New Year 2018 brings us peace, justice and prosperity!

Lastly, MIHANDs continue to receive donations or solidarity support for the continuing humanitarian response for the disasters’ survivors in Mindanao. If you want to help, you may channel your donation/support to this paypal account - paypal : paypal.me/janpesons or to MIHANDs bank details below:

Account Name : Mindanao Humanitarian Action Network
Account No. : 9353-1085-54
Bank Name : Bank of Philippine Islands (BPI)
Bank Address : Quezon Avenue, Iligan City
SWIFT Code : BOPIPHMM

Thank you so much!

Posted thru: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10213164223033785&set=a.3236675029362.143989.1041300151&type=3&theater

Also available thru: 

Facebook accounts

Multi-Stakeholders Initiatives for Humanitarian Action against Disasters and Tripod Cotabato

MARTIAL LAW EXTENSION IN MINDANAO A ROADMAP TO PERDITION OF THE PEOPLES’ DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS AND OF THE COUNTRY - MindanaOne

The MindanaOne Tri-Peoples’ Movement for Peoples’ Democratic Rights (MindanaOne) is saddened and worried, but not surprised, of the extension of the already extended Martial Law in Mindanao. We are saddened because the President and the members of Congress refused to see the long term adverse effects of this declaration to the peoples’ democratic rights, to the struggle for a just and sustainable peace in Mindanao, as well as to the dangerous precedence it will give in the future exercise of this exceptional powers of the President. However, we are not surprised because from the very start, the President is very much inclined to a militaristic approach in dealing with the current problems in Mindanao.

The approval of the majority members of Congress to the request of the Executive for additional one (1) year of Martial Law Extension despite the flimsy and very questionable grounds, attests to the reality that Congress is reduced to a mere stamp-pad of the President. Congress is duty bound by the 1987 Constitution to perform checks and balance functions, especially in cases when the President exercises its awesome powers such as the power to declare Martial Law. Its members are supposed to be the defenders of the Constitution, of the rights of the people enshrined therein, as well as of the welfare of all the Filipinos. Instead majority of them wilfully submitted to the Executive Branch’s whims and caprices. Deliberately, the so-called “people’s representatives” disregarded their very duty, bowed willingly to their patron in Malacanang and consequently distorted the real intention and spirit of the Constitutional provision on the emergency powers of the President. This is however natural for politicians, who belong to the local dynasties, clinging to who is in Malacanang in furtherance of their selfish political ends. For so long now, these people-in-suit in Congress do not represent the voices of the greater number of the peoples of Mindanao.

The 1987 Constitution provides for a strict and high standard that only upon the satisfaction of such, can the power of the President to Declare Martial Law and Suspend the Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus be exercised. Thus, only in cases of actual rebellion and invasion, when the public safety requires, can these powers be exercised by the President, subject to the review powers of the Congress and the Supreme Court. And while the Supreme Court in a divided vote upheld the declaration of Martial Law, such was based when there was still actual armed confrontations between the government and the ISIS-inspired groups in Marawi, where relatively the government was deprived of exercising its functions in certain barangays within Marawi City. However, the president himself already declared the liberation of Marawi and the beginning of the rehabilitation phase. Nowhere in the Constitution, and in the deliberations of the framers of the Constitution, can it be found that rehabilitation, imminent rebellion or the mere existence of rebels and lawless armed elements can be a ground for Martial Law and the Suspension of the Privileged of the Writ of Habeas Corpus.

The inclusion of other armed groups, such as the NPA, to justify the new extension is also questionable, since a few weeks months ago, the Government said that it is already a spent-force. It is noteworthy that the NPA was not among the reasons cited by the President when he originally declared and extended the Martial Law. Logically, it cannot serve as basis for this new extension. If the President has factual bases that the existence of the NPA warrants the declaration of Martial Law and the suspension of the privileged of the Writ, then he must make a new proclamation to such effect and allow the normal and legal process to function so as to scrutinize properly the sufficiency of the factual basis. The allowance of the extension by Congress using new basis different from the original proclamation, in our view, is a blatant circumvention of the legal and political processes set forth by the Constitution.

While it is true that there is rebellion in Mindanao and even across the country, the experiences all over the world and even our own experience tells us that MARTIAL LAW and Militarization have never been effective in resolving rebellion and insurgency. To the contrary, it is even seen that rebellion thrives in militarization. This is because democratic rights of the majority population are often neglected, and trampled upon, in militaristic solutions. And while this is happening, neo-liberal and elitist economic policies continue to bind the majority of the populace to very high social inequality, poverty and abuses, and grappled the Indigenous Peoples and the Bangsamoro with massive aggression in their ancestral lands, there by continuously violating their respective rights to self-determination. This situation is akin to putting gasoline and fire in one room. Presently, rural and Lumad communities in Mindanao have been caught in the armed confrontations of various groups. These communities are harassed, displaced, violated and some of its members get killed.

The moves of the President are somehow reminiscent with that of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos when he declared Martial Law. Among others, Marcos used the Moro resistance in Mindanao and the mounting people’s protest against his regime as the basis for his declaration. He also demonized and incarcerated the opposition, disrespected and shut-down critical institutions and used militarist response against any sign of dissent and clamour for change. Only a few years later, rebellion ballooned and spread like fire all over the country. From a ragtag band of less than 60 members with around 30 arms when Marcos declared Martial Law, the NPA grew into thousands during the implementation of Martial Law.

In this context, the MindanaOne Tri-Peoples’ Movement for Peoples’ Democratic Rights (MindanaOne) believes that the best way to go forward is pursuing peace based on justice, co-existence, sustainable development in our communities and people-centered governance using peaceful means. Insurgencies are deeply rooted in social, political and economic ills. The effective solution to such is eradicating the root causes of such ills with the free participation of the people themselves – not repression, killings and Martial Law. This can only be done with the free and democratic participation of the peoples themselves in the communities as stakeholders collectively designing and building the communities they aspire for their children. 

The MindanaOne, along with other stakeholders, is against terrorism in all its forms and from all kinds of perpetrators. But, we cannot bargain human rights for all in the guise of fighting terrorism.

We strongly condemn the extension of the extended Martial Law in Mindanao. This is an affront to democracy and to the Constitution. It is an insult to the memory of the brave martyrs who selflessly fought the Marcos dictatorship to restore our basic rights and freedom. This is a major pivot of the regime towards authoritarianism.

We join all social and progressive movements in the struggle for human dignity and against authoritarianism and all forms of abuses of power and authority!

LIFT MARTIAL LAW!

FULFILL ALL HUMAN RIGHTS FOR ALL, ALL THE TIME!

MindanaOne

December 14, 2017

https://mindanaonemovement.blogspot.com 

katipunanmindanao@gmail.com

URGENT ACTION on the Fight of Lakepower Women Workers - MindanaOne

We express our support for the fight of women workers of the electronics company Lakepower Converter Inc. who are facing union busting and discrimination by management. Likewise we voice our condemnation of the violent dispersal by Cavite export zone security personnel of the picketline during the dead of the night and early morning of December 7 to 8.

Security guards contracted by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) led strike breakers at the picketline. Two women workers—Maricar Orque and Magdalena Peña—were hurt in the commotion that followed the forcible dismantling of the picketline.

Company guards, export zone security guards and other men wearing ski masks but clad in PEZA police uniforms repeatedly tore down placards and makeshift tents. The men arrived in motorcycles and bearing side arms.

The strike started on the afternoon of December 7 after mediation meetings collapsed as management refused worker’s demands that the termination and suspension of union officers and members be stopped.

A PEZA firetruck along with security guards went to the picketline area. They also set up barricades at two points leading to the factory and refused entry to workers going to the picketline. All these are violations of the official “Guidelines on the Conduct of Police and Security Personnel During Labor Disputes.”

We hold the PEZA and Atty. Norma Tañag, administrator of the Cavite ecozone, responsible for the violent attacks on the women workers strike. Aside from the direct involvement of PEZA police, firefighters and guards in the harassment and attacks, PEZA has administrative control of the ecozone and is liable for such repeated incidents of violence.

Unrest has festered at Lakepower for the last few months. Among workers grievances is the removal of the door of the women’s restroom so that the company can spy on workers. Almost all of the 200 workers in the factory are women. They are also outraged at the unreasonable limits on the use of the restroom which has led to numerous cases of workers suffering from urinary tract infection. Workers are also complaining of excessive quota and the exclusion of unionists from receiving Christmas packages.

Workers are unionizing in the ecozones to improve their working conditions but are being met by extreme interference from capitalists unwilling to share the fruits of production.

Lakepower is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Taiwanese company Coil Technology Corp. that manufactures transformers for electronic components.

Stand with the Women Workers and all workers in EPZs! Send this letter to:

Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III

osec@dole.gov.ph, secshb3@dole.gov.ph

Ma. Zenaida Angara-Campita

DOLE Calabarzon Regional Director 

dole4imsd@yahoo.com

BGen Charito B. Plaza

PEZA Director General

odg@peza.gov.ph

Atty. Norma B. Tañag

Administrator, Cavite Economic Zone

cez@peza.gov.ph

Coil Technology Corporation

No.206 Feng-Reng Rd. Feng Shan District, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

sales@ctc-dc-dc.com

Lakepower Converter Inc.

Cheng Jen Chao

Vice General Manager

power_lci@yahoo.com

Himagsikang Katipunan Ituloy! Harangin ang Pekeng RebGob! - MindanaOne

Ginugunita sa araw na ito ang ika-154 na kaarawan ng Supremo Andres Bonifacio.

Ano ang kahalagahan ng ala-ala at pakikibaka ni Andres Bonifacio sa sambayanang Pilipino?

Unang-una, bilang karaniwang manggagawa ay itinaguyod nya ang kanyang mga kapatid. Ito ay ang katangian na dapat magkaroon ang mga mamamayan. Itaguyod natin ang ating mga adhikain na walang pagtitimpi sa ikabubuti ng lahat.

Pangalawa, isinulong nito ang reporma ng kalakaran at kahit pa ang pagkakapantay-pantay sa karapatan ng mga Pilipino at dayuhang mamamayan bilang mga tao. Bago pa man isinulong ang radikal na pakikibakang kalayaan ay naging taga-suporta ni Jose Rizal at iba pang mga kabataan sa pagsusulong ng patas na pagkilala sa mga karapatan sa ilalim ng koronang Espanyol. Hindi nito sinalungat ang pakikibakang ito bagkos ay kabahagi para sa mas mataas na porma sa pagsusulong ng himagsikan.

Pangatlo, pinangunahan na nito ang radikal na pakikibakang kalayaan at pagsasaayos sa lipunang Pilipino. Ito ang himagsikang Katipunan.

Sa larangan ng reporma at rebolusyon isinulong ni Andres Bonifacio ang pagbabago. Rebolusyong naisakripisyo ang kanyang personal na kaligayahan ngunit mas naging lubos na kaligayahan pa ang pag-alayan ang kanyang mga kapwa mamamayan.

Sa kasalukuyan ay nahaharap tayo sa mga hamon na pwedeng paghahati hatiin at pag-aaway-awayin ang mga mamamayan. Ang pagsusulong ng rebolusyonaryong goberno umano ng mga taga-suporta ng pamahalaang Duterte o maging mismo ng Pangulo Duterte ay pagbabalat-anyo. Nagtatago ito sa pagsusulong ng Pederalismo, kapayapaan sa Mindanao, kontra-terorismo at droga at panukalang pagbabago sa saligang batas. Maliwanag sa mga pangyayari ngayon na ang rebgob na kagustuhang isinusulong ay palamuti lamang sa hangaring panghawakan ng iisang tao o grupo ang kapangyarihan na patakbuhin ang buong bansa. Ang mga hindi aayon at bumabalikwas sa kagustuhang ito ay kikilalaning traydor sa bayan. Gagamiting instrumento ang pederalismo at charter change upang ganap na tanggalin ang mga probisyong pumuprotekta sa interes ng bansa. Bubuksang ganap sa mga kapitalistang (dayuhan at lokal) interes ang soberenya ng bansa. Ang hindi hayagang pagbigkas na tatanggalin ang paghaharing dinastiya ng mga tagasulong ng pederalismo ay pagpapatunay na mas maging makapangyarihan ang mga tradisyonal na politikong angkan sa mga estadong itatayo. Mas maisasantabi ang interes ng mga pamayanan.

Si Andres Bonifacio dahil sa tinuligsa nito ang patraydor at pangmamaliit na halalan sa Tejeros ay pinaratangang traydor sa bayan ng naupong Emilio Aguinaldo at pinatay. Sa pagnanais ni Bonifacio na isulong ang kapakanan at boses ng mga maliliit at karaniwang mamamayan nagbunga ito ng kanyang kamatayan hindi na sa kamay ng dayuhang kaaway kundi sa mga nagpapanggap na ka-uri at kahanay.

Ang hindi pagkilala sa tunay na diwa ng demokrasya at karapatang pantao ay nilabanan na nila Andres Bonifacio noon sa mapayapa at madugong paraan ngunit ninakaw ito ng maka-iilang interes maging hanggang ngayon. Matapos mapatalsik ang diktaduryang Marcos ay inagaw ang pakikibakang bayan ng elitistang paghahari sa pangalan uli ng demokrasya. At ang pagkamuhi ng mga mamamayan sa liberal na demokrasyang maka-kapitalista ay sinunggaban na naman ng interes ng mga kapitalista at tagasulong ng awtoritaryanismo.

Noon at hanggang ngayon ay pagsantabi sa karaingan at interes ng mga manggagawa, magsasaka, katutubo, Moro, kalikasan at mga komunidad ay hayagan at ang mas kalabisan pa ay ang pagsawalang respeto at pagkilala sa diwa at esensya ng karapatang pantao.

Hindi pa lubos na natapos ang laban ni Andres Bonifacio at patuloy pa ang paghahari ng maka-iilang interes. Mapanlinlang ang liberal na demokrasya ngayon tulad ng kina Aguinaldo noon.

Ang rebolusyong hindi nagmula sa mamamayan ay taliwas sa rebolusyong inilunsad nila Andres Bonifacio at Katipunan. Ito ay pagkukubli at panlilinlang tulad ng kina Aguinaldo.

Ang mga masang mamamayan at pamayanan ang marapat na may malaking bahagi sa pag-ukit at paghubog ng mga pagbabago sa lipunan ngayon at bukas.

Depektibo at sakitin ang kasalukuyang liberal na demokrasya, kaya dapat lamang na gamutin ng buong sambayanan at hindi sa diktaduryang paraan.

Itatag ang Pamahalaang Tunay na pagmamay-ari ng mga Mamamayan!

Wakasan ang demokrasyang maka-iilan!

Isulong mga demokratikong karapatan ng Lumad, Moro at Migranteng Pilipino sa Mindanao at Pilipinas!

Huwag magpalinlang! 

Labanan ang Pekeng RebGob!

Ituloy ang Himagsikan!

MindanaOne

30 Nobyembre 2017

Photo source: https://www.google.com.ph/search?q=andres+bonifacio&rlz=1C1CHBF_enPH761PH761&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi59Oi1kvjXAhWHjZQKHQ_BAS8Q_AUICigB#imgrc=z99BEKwAxlblmM:

RECLAIM, DEFEND and PROMOTE HUMAN RIGHTS FOR ALL AT ALL TIMES! - Movements

A Declaration of the Mindanao-wide Conference against Martial Law

We, the 103 Bangsamoro, Mindanao Migrants and Indigenous People delegates of the Mindanao Conference Against Martial Law representing 44 organizations coming from different provinces of Mindanao, have gathered together to discuss our situation and come-up with collective actions to address the challenges that we and our communities are currently facing. We are farmers, fisherfolks, urban poor, workers, youth, women, OFW, LGBT, PWD, church, religious and spiritual leaders, elderly, who are human rights defenders, peace builders and humanitarian workers working to contribute in building an inclusive, just and dignified society.

President Rodrigo Duterte's one and a half years in office is characterized with impunity borne out of his "war on illegal drugs and anti-terrorism policy". In fact, such state policy on illegal drugs has left more than 13,000 people dead, including significant number of youth and children, most of whom were coming from the poor and unemployed sectors of the society leaving behind thousands of widows and orphans. This administration has remained consistent in instilling fear, culture of silence and passivity. Human rights defenders are threatened and persecuted - a step paving towards the establishment of an authoritarian regime.

Further, his administration has distorted the very essence and concept of human rights which led to the confusion, division and further exposure of the people to more vulnerabilities and insecurities. This disregard to human rights can be seen in his proposals to lower the maximum age of criminal responsibility from fifteen (15) to nine (9) years old and the re-imposition of death penalty. This is compounded with his sexist and derogatory remarks towards women.

In Mindanao, the failed arrest operation of the leader of Abu Sayyaf and ISIS-inspired Maute group has led to a 5-month war between extremists and the government security sector in Marawi City. This has emanated from the total failure of the military intelligence which paved the way to the declaration of Martial Law in the whole islands of Mindanao.

This encounter displaced more than 500,000 individuals from Marawi City and the neighboring towns, practically turning the Islamic City into a battlefield resulting to the deaths of civilians and fighting parties and destruction of properties. The fighting in Maranao land is an attack to the very core of the Maranao people as they were forcibly uprooted from their homes; their cultural heritage destroyed leaving them not only physically and economically displaced but also emotionally, psychologically, and socio-culturally in deep pain.

The Martial law declaration resulted to incidences of warrantless arrests, torture, illegal searches of the houses of internally displaced persons, and disappearances. Aside from inadequate response of the government to the needs of the IDPs, the depressing situation of the displaced persons in the evacuation centers and host communities have exposed the women and children to higher risk of gender-based violence such as sexual abuse compounding their multiple burden in addition to their domestic responsibilities.

In other areas in Mindanao, warrantless searches and arrests, planting of evidence, militarization and crackdown on suspected members of the communist rebels in Indigenous Peoples’ communities are also taking place aside from singling out of Moros at checkpoints.

His one-sided and oftentimes confusing position on the peace processes has put uncertainty on the hopes and aspirations for peace of the people of Mindanao and the whole country, in general. This uncertainty has fueled more frustrations and desperation from the peace-loving peoples of Mindanao especially that many pinned their hopes on him, being the first Mindanaon president. His militarist approach in solving the problem in Marawi and other places in Mindanao can surely encourage the rise of new groups with more extreme and fundamentalist tendencies that usually recruit child soldiers. This militarist approach extends even on the way he plans and executes the rebuilding and rehabilitation of Marawi. Unless there is genuine and active participation of the peoples especially the affected population in addressing the problems, these problems cannot be meaningfully and sustainably be resolved.

Above all, President Duterte has fallen short to substantially institute reforms that would effectively address poverty and marginalization- situations that beset many parts of the country for decades providing fertile ground for illegal drugs and terrorism to flourish especially in Mindanao. He, instead, sided with the ruling class and oligarchs abandoning his promises to end contractualization, providing free tuition fees, end to extractive and exploitative industries, distributing land to farmers, and returning coco levy funds to the coconut farmers for the development of coconut industry. All these proved his allegiance to neo-liberal economy- a clear betrayal of the peoples who trusted him.

As part of the social movements, we believe that development can be realized without jeopardizing the right of peoples and individuals. Rather, we believe that development must lead to the fulfillment of human rights and realization of the full human potential which is a state obligation.

Given all these issues and challenges, we, human rights defenders, peace builders and humanitarian workers call for:

- Respect and uphold Human Rights at all times;

- Resist and oppose all threats to human rights by strongly and collectively calling for an end to Martial Law and threat of Authoritarianism;

- Justice to the victims of all extra judicial killings, whether in the war against illegal drugs and/or political killings: 

- For government to shift from its policy of killing drug addicts, instead, address the root cause of the problem in a more comprehensive approach by looking at the drug trading business, economic deprivation and public health issues among the poor, security of everyone; and safeguard the future of the young generation both addicts and non-addicts by eliminating drug addiction.

We reiterate our call for a peaceful resolution to conflicts. Thus, we add our voice to the support of all peace processes. In all these processes, we demand for the genuine participation of communities and peoples

We express our solidarity with the Maranaw people as they rebuild their lives with dignity. genuine democratic participation of the Maranaws in the process of rebuilding their torn physical, social, cultural and psychological well being;

As we envision a society that is human rights-centered, democratic, gender sensitive and responsive, sustainable, inclusive and just, empowered & resilient and sustainable communities, and life with dignity, we resolutely commit to reclaim, defend and promote human rights for all at all times. Linked to this is our commitment to defend the environment and all resources vital to the survival and sustenance of human life and of the right to healthy, safe and sustainable ecology. To this end, we strongly encourage and support to strengthen people's-led and centered initiatives as our alternatives to the prevailing dominant neoliberal economic development paradigm.

Signed this 11th day of November 2017 in Cotabato City.

Signatories:

- Alliance of the Tri-People for the Advancement of Human Rights (ALTAHR)
- Alyansa ng Kabataang Mindanao para sa Kapayapaan (AKMK)
- Alyansa nga mga Mamamayan para sa Karapatang Pantao (AMKP)
- ALAMADA OFW Association
- Bukidnon Organic Farmers Association (BOFA)
- Coalition of Lanao Utility Transport for Change (CLUTCH)
- Convergence of NGOs and POs in Zamboanga del Sur for Agrarian Reform and Rural Development (CONZARRD)
- Demokratikong Magbubukid ng Pilipinas - Lanao (DKMP - Lanao)
- Electoral Reforms and Development Assistance Center, Inc. (ERDAC)
- Gempa Te Kelindaan Ne Kamal
- Inged Fintailan
- Initiatives and Movement for Gender Liberation Against Discrimination (IMGLAD)
- Kaagapay OFW Resource and Service Center, Inc. (Kaagapay OFW Center)
- Kagkalimwa OFW Federation
- Kahugpungan sa mga Mag-uuma ug Mamumuong Kababayenhan sa Kabanikanhan (KASAMAKA)
- Kahugpungan sa mga Mangingisda sa Kolambugan (KASAMAKO)
- Kahugpungan sa mga Mag-uuma ug Mangingisda sa Zamboanga del Sur (KAMAGMASUR)
- Kilusang Maralita sa Kanayunan (KILOS KA)
- Lambangian People’s Organization (LPO)
- Lanao Alliance of Human Rights Advocates, Inc. (LAHRA)
- Lanao Aquatic and Marine Fisheries Center for Community Development, Inc. (LAFCCOD)
- Liga ng Makabagong Kabataan (LMK)
- Lig-ong Hiniusang Kusog sa Kabus (LIHUK)
- Mindanao Peoples’ Peace Movement (MPPM)
- Mindanao Tri-People Women Resource Center, Inc. (MTWRC)
- Mindanao Tri-People Youth Center, Inc. (MTPYC)
- Multi-stakeholder’s Initiatives for Humanitarian Action against Disasters (MIHANDS)
- Mindanao Indigenous People Initiative for Research and Assistance Center (MIPIRAC)
- Nagkahiusang Mangingisda Alang sa Kalambuan sa Sultan Naga Dimaporo (NAMANGKA)
- Nagkahiusang Mangingisda sa Illana Bay (NAMAIBAY)
- Nagkahiusang Mag-uumang Organiko (NAMAO)
- Nagkahiusang Organisasyong sa mga Mangingisda sa Tubod ug Baroy (NOMATUB)
- Pagilidan Farmers and Fisherfolks Organizations for Unity and Development (PFOUD)
- Poloy-poloy Farmers Association (POFA)
- Ranaw Disaster Response and Rehabilitation Assistance Center, Inc. (RDRRAC)
- Ranao Women and Children Resource Center, Inc. (RWCRC)
- Sumpay Mindanao, Inc. (SMI)
- Teduray and Lambangian Youth and Students Association (TLYSA)
- Tri-People Organization Against Disasters Foundation, Inc. (TRIPOD)
- Tri-people Youth for Change (TRYChange)
- Timuay Justice and Governance (TJG)
- Task Force Tigil Mina (TFTM)
- Umpungan nu mga Babay sa Bagua 2 (UBB2)
- Ummah Development Foundation, Inc. (UDFI)