Bayan Accuses Gov't Of Genocide In Mindanao

BAYAN ACCUSES GOV'T OF GENOCIDE IN MINDANAO

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MEDIA RELEASE
March 23, 2000

Another gruesome genocide by the government.

This was how the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan today described the raging military operations in Mindanao against revolutionary organizations, MILF and the CPP-NPA-NDF. It lambasted the government’s massive troop deployment since last year and the ongoing military assaults as signs of a "war of attrition" by the Estrada government to physically eliminate revolutionary organizations in the so-called Land of Promise.

"While harping about continuing the peace process, the Estrada government has sent most of its troops to Mindanao, waged the most bloody attacks and have killed a growing number of civilians and revolutionaries whose only crime is to fight for their right to self-determination," said Bayan Secretary-General Teodoro Casiño.

"How can there be peace talks when the government the military is stepping up its unconscionable campaign of terror and violence in Mindanao?," he asked.

"We hold the Estrada government wholly responsible for the bloodshed in Mindanao. It is clearly hungry for the blood of Moro and non-Moro revolutionaries. They want to get the so-called peace by killing all revolutionaries and their supporters in the whole of Mindanao," Casiño added.

He pointed out that such bloody genocidal methods were also used by the Marcos dictatorship but failed to win the war with Moro and non-Moro revolutionaries.

Saying the genocidal attacks are premeditated, Casiño revealed massive troop movements and military attacks against the MILF and CPP-NPA-NDF in Mindanao since last year:

Casiño also condemned the military atrocities committed by the military and CAFGU against CPP-NPA-NDF forces and civilians in other parts of Mindanao.

According to the Ecumenical Movement for Justice and Peace, joint operations of the CAFGU and the military has resulted in a growing number of deaths and human rights violations of civilians and revolutionary fighters.

Table. THE ESTRADA GOVERNMENT’S GENOCIDE IN MINDANAO

Gov’t attacks against MILF

Gov’t attacks against CPP-NPA-NDF

Camp Omar in Maguindanao, a major MILF camp recognized by the MILF-GRP Second Joint Acknowledgement, has been attacked twice by the military on orders of AFP Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Angelo Reyes. One of the attacks occurred last Jan. 9-12 as the MILF were preparing for the end of Ramadan, the holiest Islamic feast.

In 1999, the government has deployed to Mindanao an additional seven (7) Philippine Army batallions, 2 ½ Scout Ranger Batallions and six Special Forces batallions.

MILF strongholds in Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat have been the target of the combined elements of the 6^th Infantry Division, a brigade of the 3^rd Infantry Division and another brigade of the 4^th Infantry Division.

Majority of the military’s armored vehicles, tanks, helicopters and war planes are now concentrated in Central Mindanao.

The early morning raid on the house of 12-year old Edfu dela Cruz and the killing of his parents, a sister and their guests.

Feb. 7 in Bukidnon – Three people, including two NPA fighters, were killed in a raid by a paramilitary group. In full fiew of the public, the two slain NPAs were later beheaded by 16 elements of the Special Forces Unit of the 8^th Infantry Batallion of the Philippine

Army and the CAFGU.

Feb. 16 in Davao Oriental – Combined elements of the CAFGU and 30^th Special Forces Batallion attacked 17 residents of Bgy. Binondo, Bangganga town. The victims’ properties were looted while the penises of two young boys were slashed.

Feb. 18 in Bukidnon – Elements of the 18^th Infantry Batallion of the Philippine Army desecrated the remains of Alfredo Ortillano, an NPA guerilla who was killed in an earlier encounter.

Feb. 26 in Cotabato – Members of Ilaga, a fanatical paramilitary group, kills Muslim farmer Bakar Pintukasan. His body was found mutilated.

Feb. 28 in Zamboanga del Norte – CAFGU members mistake Daniel Eguia, a civilian, for an NPA guerilla. He was abducted and killed inside the military detachment of the 4^th Infantry Batallion of the Philippine Army. His body was hogtied and dragged to the municipal hall where a CAFGU member repeatedly banged his head on the pavement while shouting "you are an NPA!"