Children whether deliberately used or not are still victims and survivors of state violence in the Philippine context.
Posts by tag: zambo
Tending to children has become difficult in evacuation centers with the number of displaced increasing every day after two weeks of skirmish between MNLF and state forces. All over the city, the number of displaced residents has swelled up to nearly 120,000 from 12 villages as fighting continued on its second week.
In House Resolution 302, Bayan Muna asked the committee on peace, reconciliation and unity to investigate whether or not the government terminated the tripartite review of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement with the MNLF, which claimed that this provoked their members to march into Zamboanga City on September 9.
Sulu Princess Jacel Kiram (center) is joined by Catholic nuns in a rally calling for a peaceful resolution to the Zamboanga conflict last Thursday along F. Bangoy Street – Sta. Ana Avenue. The Initiatives for Peace in Mindanao (InPeace) mobilized 100 church leaders and peace advocates in its Mindanao School of Peace in time for the International Day of Peace. (contributed photo)
Muslims from a vessel coming from Basilan jumped off at the dock of Zamboanga Port last Monday. Local officials allowed some vessels to enter the port as the standoff continues between government troops and the Moro National Liberation Front. (davaotoday.com photo by John Rizle L. Saligumba)
Aerial bombs launched by government troops against Muslim rebels and more fires in Barangay Santa Catalina Monday worried displaced residents who said relatives and neighbors were trapped there.
Brad Adams, Asia director of HRW reacted over this report. “Government forces should not be making blanket assumptions about whether individuals are rebels based on whether they have proper documents or not. Officials can check those leaving the conflict zone, but they need to ensure that civilians have safe passage and are not put at unnecessary risk.”
“It’s frustrating how the government has handled the security, why the coasts weren’t secured and could not prevent the MNLF from entering,
and how they are handling the situation right now. We don’t know what areas are safe, which roads are secured and which establishments are
open,” a debater from the Ateneo de Zamboanga team said.
A few came for Sunday’s evening mass in St. Joseph Spouse of Blessed Virgin Mary Church at Nuñez Street as clashes continue in Zamboanga City. The celebrant Fr. Willie Samson SJ offered prayer for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. (davaotoday.com photo by John Rizle L. Saligumba)
Hope, a popular cigarette brand among folks in Mindanao, falls from the pocket of this soldier resting during skirmishes between government troops and Moro National Liberation Front fighters in Zamboanga City. Hope for a peaceful resolution seems dimmer as the clash continues on its second week. (davaotoday.com photo by John Rizle L. Saligumba)
