THE College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) condemns in strongest term the terror attack done by Maute Group and Abu Sayyaf in Marawi City. This latest attack by the terrorist organizations must be stopped, especially that there are many civilians who are greatly affected by the ongoing turmoil in the city.
However, we denounce the decision of President Rodrigo Duterte to declare martial law in Mindanao as it paves way to possible abuse perpetrated by the state military apparatus. This will only intensify exponentially the militarization of urban and rural areas in the south, making the civilians suffer even further.
The government is insincere and duplicitous in its assertion that the declaration of martial law is meant to safeguard the Filipino people. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana openly admitted in Moscow that the reason why military rule is instituted was to curtail the activities of all those who rebel against the government. It is evident that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) took advantage of the situation for its counterinsurgency drive that is now unrestricted and uncontrolled because of the suspension of writ of habeas corpus.
The declaration of martial law by President Duterte will only result to unabashed military harassment to our populace and is detrimental to the attainment of a just and lasting peace in the region. The government should solve the root causes of the armed conflict and not rely on military means.
The decades-old insurrection in the south is linked to systemic plunder of our natural resources and systematic land grabbing to the farmers done by big multi-national companies and powerful clans. Most of the poorest provinces in the country is located in Mindanao.
Moreover, the mayhem that is happening in Marawi City will also be used by the government and United States to push for more military exercises in the country. This year alone, there are around 250 scheduled joint military exercises in the Philippines. They will justify that the presence of American military is essential to our own national security.
It can also be noted that the United States helped to create and fund Isis in the early years of Syrian Civil War. Abu Sayyaf, a known ally of Isis, is also a terrorist organization which is believed to be formed by the United States in Armm. Furthermore, the Maute Group also swore its allegiance to Isis.
If there is to be blamed in the chaos that is happening in Marawi City, it should be the imperialist greed of United States. If they did not help create and fund these terrorist organizations for their own interest, none of this would have happened. Aside from this, their companies have long plundered Mindanao, depriving its people of the richness of their land.
The Guild stands with the people of Marawi City in this tumultuous moment and is one with the Filipino people in seeking justice for those who were affected by the terror attack. –Daryl Angelo Baybado, deputy secretary general, College Editors Guild of the Philippines
Questionable Declaration
AROUND 10 pm on May 23, 2017, President Rodrigo Duterte placed the entire of Mindanao under martial law after a firefight reportedly ensued between the Maute Group–a group that is affiliated with Islamic State (IS) militants–and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in Marawi City.
Karapatan strongly protests Duterte’s martial law declaration. It will not address the circumstances of the current situation in Marawi but will aggravate the insecurity in the area. Martial law is not the answer; it will never result in anything but gross violations of people’s rights.
Karapatan calls for a deeper investigation on the incidents in Marawi while it condemns the various acts which have endangered civilians. We reiterate, however, that the martial law declaration is an uncalled-for response.
We also question why all of Mindanao was included. DND chief Lorenzana, in a press conference, cited unrest in Zamboanga, Tawi-Tawi, among others, including the presence of the NPA in Mindanao as among the basis for the martial law declaration. The DND chief, consistent with his warmongering, has laid the predicate for full-blown rights violations akin to the convoluted justifications of Marcos’ martial law.
Martial law will inevitably result in intensified military operations, including aerial strikes, which can kill and affect hundreds of civilians, and to an open season for extrajudicial killings, illegal arrests, torture and other forms of rights violations.
It is imperative for the Filipino people to remain vigilant amid Duterte’s martial law declaration, if it will be used to further justify denying people of their political and civil rights, or as pretext for the deployment of more US troops to the Philippines. Years of oppression, exploitation, discrimination and denial of the right to self-determination of peoples in Mindanao and the rest of the country will not be solved by any militarist action of the State. –Cristina Palabay, secretary general, Karapatan
Learn from History
THE Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) announces the strong opposition to Duterte’s Martial Law in Mindanao as it calls on our citizens to learn from history of defiance against fascim and imperialist war against the people. Mass leaders from ACT-member organizations will express their united stand for just peace, the implications and consequences of this fascistic turn, and the crucial role of education sector in the fight for freedom and justice. –Benjamin Valbuena, chairperson, Alliance of Concerned Teachers
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