Ceasefire violations in Northeast and Southern Mindanao are in contempt of the peace process

By JORGE "Ka Oris" MADLOS
Spokesperson, NDFP – Mindanao

Units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP) and the paramilitary Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) in both the North Eastern and Southern parts of Mindanao have violated the mutually-declared ceasefire, which runs from 15 to 21 of February, of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) and the Government of the Philippines (GPH, formerly the Government of the Republic of the Philippines).

In the North Eastern Mindanao province of Surigao del Norte alone, 4th Infantry Division military units began offensive combat operations since 12 January 2011, and at the start of the mutually-agreed ceasefire between the NDFP and the GPH on 15 February 2011, these units have not withdrawn from the area and continue to hold offensive positions.

1. In far flung Barangay (village) Sapa, Claver, on 15 February, combined AFP troops belonging to the 30th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army (IBPA), 26th IBPA, 75th IB and the CAFGU are encamped in and around the barangay hall, have maintained their offensive combat positions, and conducted combat patrols;

2. In far flung Brgy. Lahi, Gigaquit, on 15 February, combined AFP troops under the 30th IBPA, 26th IBPA, 75th IB and the CAFGU are encamped in and around the barangay hall, have maintained their offensive combat positions and conducted combat patrols;

3. In far flung Brgy. Camam-onan, Gigaquit, 15 February, combined AFP troops under the 30th IBPA, 26th IBPA, 75th IB and the CAFGU are encamped in and around the barangay hall, have maintained their offensive combat positions and conducted combat patrol.

Moreover, initial reports from the field shows that the AFP-PNP-CAFGU committed seven counts of glaring ceasefire violations in many far flung barangays in Southern Mindanao, particularly in the provinces of Compostela Valley, Davao Oriental, and Agusan del Sur.

1. In Sitio (sub-village) Puting Bato, Brgy. Ngan, Compostela Valley Province, 16 February, the 5th Scout Rangers Company are conducting offensive combat operations;

2. In Sto. Side Four, Brgy. Manggayon , Compostela Valley Province, 16 February, the 5th Scout Rangers Company are conducting combat operations;

3. In Sto. Pagkaw, Brgy. Aragon, Cateel, Davao Oriental, 16 February, Scout Rangers have encamped themselves in and around the houses of local civilians;

4. In Sto. Cogonon, Brgy. Salvacion, Trento, Agusan del Sur, 16 February 16, one platoon (38 elements) of an unknown AFP unit is conducting combat operations;

5. In Brgy. Macopa, Man-ay, Davao Oriental, 16 February, the 67th Infantry Battalion are conducting civil-military operations (CMOs) and are employing psy-war tactics against civilians;

6. In Sto. Matabang, Brgy. Taocanga, Man-ay, Davao Oriental, 16 February, two companies (120 elements) of the 67th Infantry Battalion are conducting civil-military operations (CMOs) and are employing psy-war tactics against civilians.

7. In Sto. Maitom, Brgy. Tubaon, Taragona, Davao Oriental, 16 February, the 67th Infantry Battalion is conducting civil-military operations (CMOs) and employing psy-war tactics against civilians.

As we enter the fifth day of both the peace talks and the ceasefire, the GPH under Mr. Benigno Aquino III must show sincerity in the field by once and for all ordering all AFP, PNP and CAFGU units to immediately cease and desist from continuing all offensive combat and intelligence operations, including CMOs, in Mindanao provinces and the rest of the country.

We call on all peace-loving Filipinos to report at once to the Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC) Secretariat of the NDFP or the nearest New People's Army (NPA) command in your area any and all violations committed by the AFP, PNP, CAFGU and other paramilitary troops against the 7-day ceasefire.