The Mindanao Peoples Caucus (MPC) calls the attention of the international humanitarian agencies and the United Nations to step up their efforts to protect the civilians and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Maguindanao and Cotabato, in response to the recent remark of the spokesperson of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division that these IDPs are the “enemy reserve force.” This statement reflects a military mind-set that cannot see the difference between a combatant and a civilian. That probably explains why, despite the calls to stop the indiscriminate bombings and the torching of civilian homes, these atrocities go on unabated.

A curious mind need only go to the evacuation centers to find out who these IDPs are. They are teachers, barangay officials, students, women, mothers, young children, babies, elderly. They are civilians whose rights are protected under the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and the UN Guiding Principle on Internal Displacement (UNGPID). They are human beings whose only aspiration is to return home and live in peace. They are the people the Armed Forces of the Philippines is duty-bound to protect. For almost 12 months now, these IDPs have been running back and forth, caught in the crossfire of an armed conflict that has no resolution in sight.

What is worrisome here is that these civilians have one thing in common: they are all Muslims. And as suggested by the AFP statement, they are viewed as “enemy reserve force” by reason of their ethnicity and religion. This view smacks of bias and prejudice against a particular class of people—which makes the mindset it reveals all the more dangerous.

MPC therefore calls on the defense secretary and the AFP chief of staff to correct this perception and categorization of the IDPs as “enemy reserve force” and direct military officers and men on the ground to strictly observe the IHL and the UNGPID as an integral part of their duty to protect the people and observe civilian supremacy at all times.

MPC calls on the United Nations to immediately intervene in this situation and proactively adopt protective measures to ensure the safety and well-being of the IDPs and the larger civilian population. The Commission on Human Rights, for its part, should conduct an investigation into the reported cases of food blockade, indiscriminate bombings, looting and torching of civilian homes, desecration of mosques and houses of worship and other forms of human rights violations.

Finally, MPC calls on all Mindanaoans to unite, preserve the gains of the peace process and show our solidarity as Muslims and Christians in the spirit of genuine dialogue, freedom and justice.

—ROMY ELUSFA,
freelance journalist,
Bantay Ceasefire Volunteer;
secretary, ComStrat