Human rights abuses being committed, says Kalinaw Mindanao

AN INTERFAITH group has belied the assertions of the military that there have been no human rights abuses under martial law in Mindanao, which is now in its third month.

In an e-mailed statement yesterday, Kalinaw Mindanao said they have documented cases of arrests on baseless accusations. Worse, the number of cases of enforced disappearances have been increasing, the group added.

“We, the delegates of the second National Interfaith Humanitarian Mission, hope that through our different activities of support, will inspire these silenced masses into shouting their dissent,” the statement reads in part.

Kalinaw Mindanao is an interfaith network that was formed after then-President Joseph Estrada declared an all-out war in Central Mindanao in 2000. Delegates of the second National Interfaith Humanitarian Mission include the Promotion of Church People’s Response, In Peace Mindanao, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, Gabriela, Children’s Resource Center, Community-based Health Services, Talikala, Karapatan, Moro-Christian People’s Alliance, Rural Missionaries of the Philippines, Sisters’ Association in Mindanao, Salugpongan, Sandugo, Suara Bangsamoro, Tindeg Ranao among several others.

Amirah Lidasan of the Moro-Christian People’s Alliance said there have been instances where people have been held arbitrarily because they do not have government-issued identification on them.

“Anyone who looked suspicious is detained and interrogated, their dignities slowly eroding,” Lidasan said in the same statement.

Aida Ibrahim, convener of Tindeg Ranao said the group is concerned that in this supposed democratic government, dissent no longer appears to be an option.

“The police and the military declared their power over the civilian government, not allowing us to question their actions,” Ibrahim said in the same statement.

The group said the government is forcing its constituents to think that the only way to resolve the crisis in Marawi City is through military force.

“But if we take a step back, we see that the guns and tanks are pointing at us, who, at the end of the day, suffer the consequences of this war,” the statement reads. (cbc)