LIC confab slated

By Media Mindanao News Service

News Digest Volume 1, August 1987-July 1988 Posted by Davao Today

DAVAO CITY (MMNS/September 15, 1987) — A Mindanao-wide conference on an American-inspired counter-insurgency doctrine will be held September 15 to 17 in Northern Mindanao to discuss the “intensifying conflict with devastating impact on the lives” of the people of the island.

Dubbed “Pananawagan ‘87,” the three-day assembly aims at, among others, studying the doctrine and counter-insurgency strategy called “low-intensity conflict” and its “possible application” in the country.

One of the convenors, Fr. Edwin Tanalgo, executive secretary of the church-based Basic Christian Communities – community organizing (BCC-CO) program said “Pananawagan ‘87″ is a “response” to the “reality of intensifying conflict in Mindanao.”

He cited encounters and bombings resulting to the dislocation of rural folks, armed cultists and anti-communist groups “who terrorize and kill those who oppose them,” summary executions and liquidations, and other violent incidents.

“An atmosphere of fear, confusion and polarization prevails,” Fr. Tanalgo, said hinting that the situation has been engendered by the empty of LIC.

LIC is generally defined “total war at the grassroots level.” Sara Miles, a New York-based researcher during a trip here early this year said the United States uses LIC in quelling and crashing national liberation movements among US colonies and neo-colonies. Although Miles did not have hard facts to show Philippines is one of the LIC arena, she did not preclude the possibility that LIC is in force in the country.

Cause-oriented groups have raised fears that LIC is being applied in the country. The Aquino government, however, has denied toeing the American counter-insurgency tactic even as President Aquino called on her soldiers to prepare for “total war.”

“Pananawagan ‘87″ has for its theme: “A freedom-loving and faith-motivated people, amidst a war-ravaged country, perseveres in hope and commitment to the building of the New Kingdom.”

Rolando Simbulan, a nationwide and author of the book, “Our Bases of Insecurity” will be the main speaker, Fr. Tanalgo disclosed. Victims of vigilante “atrocities” will share their experiences, too, Fr. Tanalgo added.

Over 100 church leaders, government officials, lawyers and civic leaders are expected to attend the assembly which will be held at the Manresa Retreat Conference Center in Cagayan de oro City. (Media Mindanao News Service News Digest Volume 1, August 1987-July 1988 Posted by Davao Today)