The last quarter of 2009 marked an eye-opener that shook us terribly – the “November 23 Massacre.” And it was succeeded by the controversial proclamation of Martial Law. After a week, Martial Law was lifted before the joint session of the senate and congress could come up with their own stand on the matter.
In the December 10 press statement of the United Youth for Peace and Development, Inc, (UNYPAD), the leadership of the organization expressed sympathy and condolence to the relatives and loved ones of the victims in the massacre. It condemned in the highest term the perpetrators of the crime that tarnished the reputation of our people and government. It also addressed its call to the government to exert utmost efforts “that the declaration of Martial Law in Maguindanao will not cause the displacement of the civilians nor aggravate the plight of the already displaced people.”
Unknowingly, plight of the conflict-affected civilians in the province of Maguindanao was overlooked. Their situation worsened after the brutal Maguindanao Massacre and pthe subsequent proclamation of Martial Law. It is not just the evacuees who are suffering from the post-massacre and post-martial law effects but the entire constituents of Maguindanao Province. Delivery of basic services, among others, as primary duties and responsibilities of the local government units, was hampered by the so-called crisis in Maguindanao. Worse, the sufferings of the civilians were not given due attention as far as media outlets are concerned.
The absence of mayors in some municipalities in Maguindanao is one of the serious problems that the government should address in an urgent but appropriate manner.
The UNYPAD, as part of the civil society groups working for the humanitarian
protection, cannot afford to remain as mere spectator on the civilian protection matter.
To push for humanitarian actions, the UNYPAD makes the following urgent calls, namely:
* For the concerned authorities especially the officer-in-charge/leadership of Maguindanao to workout best strategies to bring back
communities into normal;
* For both local and international NGOs to facilitate all kinds of assistance and protection measures to the civilians of Maguindanao, and
* For the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and other human right groups to look into the reported cases of human rights violations.
The UNYPAD strongly believes that the spirit of our collaboration and networking is more powerful than the crisis confronting the helpless civilians of Maguindanao nowadays.
Reference Person:
ANWAR UPAHM
UNYPAD Spokesperson
09264414400
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