Initiatives for International Dialogue
July 31, 2009
in Convenors
There is no other path to peace but dialogue.
We welcome the move of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Peace Panels (MILF) to reconvene and reach consensus points on the mechanism on the protection of non combatants in armed conflict, as well as sustain the government’s Suspension of Military Operations (SOMO) and the Suspension of Military Action (SOMA) of the MILF.
While it is long overdue, we believe that opening and sustaining the space for dialogue and consensus building will lead to the peaceful resolution of the age old conflict in Mindanao.
The Initiatives for International Dialogue fully support the effort of both the GRP and MILF to sit down and complete the preparation for the resumption of the talks.
The violence has to stop.
We, the Mindanao PeaceWeavers (MPW) call on the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to return to the negotiating table for the peaceful resolution of the conflict in Mindanao.
We strongly condemn the bombings in Cotabato City and other parts of Mindanao. We urge a thorough and impartial investigation, mindful of the cloud of suspicion around previous bombings, that will lead to truth and justice.
Initiatives for International Dialogue
June 16, 2009
in Convenors
The Initiatives for International Dialogue expresses grave concern over the blatant violation of human rights of the internally displaced persons in Maguindanao who continue to receive the blow in the obsession for a military solution to the conflict in Mindanao. Maguindanao is one of the five provinces under the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
We express grave concern on the recent spate of conflict in Maguindanao, one of five provinces under the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) which has forced thousands of villagers to flee their homes.
Both sides of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the government have accused each other of violating a fragile truce signed in 2001. Today, thousands of people are again cramped in evacuation centers, joining the increasing number of internally displaced persons in Mindanao. Some lost their family members to the war, while most are forced to leave home.
