NGOs to hold solidarity mission in Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines - Church-based groups will hold a four-leg solidarity mission to visit conflict-hit areas in Southern Mindanao from Nov. 10 to 12, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines said. The CBCP said the Exodus for Justice and Peace (EJP) will embark on the mission dubbed "Duyog sa Panaw" to help internally displaced communities and victims of human rights violations. "It also stands by human rights defenders and works for attainment of justice for all victims of political persecution," the CBCP website www.cbcpnews.com said. The mission aims to provide immediate humanitarian services such as food relief, medical and psycho-social therapy to those who have been affected. It also seeks to document human rights abuses for submission to appropriate government agencies, both national and international. A third objective is to express solidarity and moral support to the victims of human rights abuses. "Duyog sa Panaw is a denunciation of the militarization of indigenous and farmer communities and the consequent human rights abuses. It is solidarity in action. This solidarity journey enjoins peace advocates from all walks of life to join the mission and/or contribute any means of support such as medicines, food stuff and cash," organizers said. Major military operations began in Southern Mindanao last January, causing forcible displacements of indigenous and farmer communities and spawning human rights violations. In February, more than 330 Mansaka-Mandaya families were forcibly displaced from their farms and homes due to military operations in Davao Oriental. Last April, the military shifted to Compostela Valley province where Mandaya and Ata-Matigsalog tribes fled to the houses of their relatives and to the town centers where more than 150 families evacuated. In May, around 80 families sought refuge in Davao City because of continuing harassment from soldiers in the evacuation center in Compostela town. In September and October, some 300 families were displaced in Boston, Davao Oriental and residents of New Bataan, Compostela Valley began to flee their homes respectively. Residents of Brgy. Tamayong, Davao City have also been under threat, as well as Bagobo and Bisaya communities in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur. Initial documentation of the latest wave of displacements has uncovered incidents of torture, hamletting, and abuse of children. Cries for justice echo from Davao del Sur to Davao del Norte, from Davao Oriental to Davao City and all points in between, the statement claimed. The first identified mission areas are Simulao and Caatijan villages in Boston town in Davao Oriental, both inhabited by Mandaya tribes. Between September 26 and October 1, organizers said eight children were documented as victims of human rights violations in Sitio Caatijan while five men including a 69-year old man were subjected to torture by elements of the AFP's Division Reconnaissance Company and the 1105th Provincial Mobile Group in Simulao village. The second mission area is Taytayan, New Bataan in Compostela Valley province populated by the Mandaya and Mansaka communities. A third mission area is Brgy. Sibulan in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur. The fourth mission area is Sitio Kahusayan in Brgy. Tamayong, Davao City occupied by Klata community. EJP mission areas will be visited during the "Duyog sa Panaw" as a journey of solidarity to the identified communities resisting oppression. Main conveners include Sr. Luz Mallo, coordinator of the Missionaries of the Assumption, Sr. Dolores Diaz, Bro. Noelvic Deloria and Bro. Jose Godofredo Sapigao of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart; Bishop Delfin Callao of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente, Bishop Constante Claro of the UCCP-SEMJUR, Fr. Jonathan Casimina of the Southern Mindanao Regional Ecumenical Council, Rev. Jurie Jaime of the Promotion of Church People's Response, Sr. Irene Caharian, Sr. Elsa Compuesto, executive secretary of the Sister's Association in Mindanao (SAMIN), Pastor Amancio Binigian of Concord and Atty. Ding Estorres of the Union of Peoples Lawyers in Mindanao–Davao Chapter. - GMANews.TV