Photo Essay: A call for a stop to human rights violations in Compostela Valley

Photos By JONALD MAHINAY and BARRY OHAYLAN | Davao Today

According to Karapatan, human-rights violations in Southern Mindanao have increased as Oplan Bantay Laya, aimed at crushing the communist rebellion, is nearing its deadline in 2010. Click here for more pictures

Women and children in conflict areas tell their stories in Ibon book

By CJ KUIZON | Davao Today

Funded by the United Nations children’s fund (Unicef), the Ibon book delves into the lives of women and children living in areas under the influence of the New People’s Army (NPA) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), hence, the subject of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) operations.

Groups slam military for calling children killed in attacks as ‘child warriors’

By CJ KUIZON | Davao Today

Ma. Esmeralda Macaspac, CRC executive director, said the statements made by Colonel Marlou Salazar, 601st brigade commander, were “irresponsible and cowardly.” She pointed out that five of the six children who were killed were below ten years old, slamming the military’s penchant for branding children that they have killed in their operations as “child warriors.”

SHANTIES. A giant billboard stands obtrusively against the shanties along the riverbank of Davao River. About one third of Filipinos are living below the poverty line, their condition worsened by rising inflation, which registered a 17-year high last month. The National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) reported in its latest poverty survey released in May that the number of ” poor” Filipinos grew from 23.8 million in 2003 to 27.6 million in 2006. (Photo by Keith Bacongco / AKP Images)

Environmentalists increasingly anxious over the effects of mining in Davao Gulf

By GERMELINA A. LACORTE | Davao Today

A top official of the island garden city of Samal cracked a joke about the fish of Davao Gulf before a recent mining conference here to raise a point on the need to protect the environment amidst the flurry of activities in mining.

Part of Diwalwal’s 8,100 hectare mining reserve up for bidding

By GERMELINA A. LACORTE | Davao Today

Government has declared the 8,100 hectares, which included the gold rush site of Diwalwal, as a mineral reserve, taking over full control of its operation. Government has divided the area into three zones, the 729 hectare gold rush site operated by the small miners, another zone open for large scale investors and the tribal section, where indigenous peoples who formerly owned the land are allowed to operate.

MILF calls for an independent body to look into civilian casualties

By CHERYLL D. FIEL | Davao Today

“The government will not implement what it has committed. So when it was not signed, our two commanders concluded that the government of the Philippines did not really want the peaceful process. So, they decided by themselves without the sanction of the high leaders of the MILF. That’s when the problem came.”

Environment groups demand probe on Crew Minerals for Masara tragedy

BY DAISY C. GONZALES Davao Today
Southern Mindanao environment groups demand a probe on the Canadian mining firm Crew Minerals for the September 6 landslide in Masara that killed 24 and displaced thousands.

More violence feared after GMA scraps peace panel

By CJ KUIZON | Davao Today

Gabriela representative Liza Maza said the Bangsamoro people can’t help but interpret Arroyo’s move as a declaration of an all-out war against them. “The Arroyo government’s obstinacy, all the while ignoring the legitimate demands of the Bangsamoro, does not bring the conflict anywhere near resolution,” she said.

Puno to MILF: Disarm first before we can talk peace

By GRACE S. UDDIN | Davao Today

“If people do not disarm how can you prevent your rogue elements? If you cannot control your people from using arms, you should disarm them. How can you talk peace if your group is attacking innocent municipalities?” Puno asked.

Duterte says no to Ilaga, vigilante groups

By MARILOU AGUIRRE-TUBURAN | Davao Today

Duterte said he is against the formation of a group whose “sole purpose is vendetta” because it will only lead to the killing of more people.

Peace in Mindanao - at what price?

ANALYSIS: The peace process can bring about a simulated peace - but not the final solution to the Bangsamoro people’s historic and just grievances.