A temporary silencing of guns and a pause in fighting between government forces and the Maute group is expected to give way to the peaceful celebration of the end of Ramadan on Sunday, June 25.
A month after the island of Mindanao has been placed under martial rule, Eastern Mindanao Command Deputy Commander Brigadier General Gilbert Gapay said that they have successfully “prevented the spillover of terrorism” in Eastern Mindanao.
While offers of support are certainly welcome, the Philippine government and its regional partners are able to handle the threat of extremist terror groups without the help of western countries such as the US and Australia, said Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella.
Unless the historical injustices done to the Moro people is addressed through joint efforts by the government and other sectors, the issue will continue to be exploited and used by radicals and extremists to persuade other Moros, especially the youth to join their ranks.
Various progressive groups here protested in front of the Commission of Human Rights XI on Friday, June 23, slamming the claim of CHR that no violation of human rights was recorded a month after President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of Martial Law in Mindanao.
The threats against President Rodrigo Duterte’s life issued by the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters are merely “desperate” statements meant to divert public attention from the setbacks suffered by the group in their stronghold of Maguindanao, said Eastern Mindanao Command Deputy Commander and Martial Law Spokesperson for Mindanao, Brigadier General Gilbert Gapay.
The government peace panel is asking the Department of Justice (DOJ) to immediately review the case of a bishop who was arrested with a communist leader in Ozamis City last month.
Thunderous bomb explosions, rapid gun fires and the roars of fighter planes and choppers marked the 31st day since terrorists from the so-called Maute group attacked this city.
Ateneo De Davao University school president Fr. Joel Tabora is calling on the academe to do a “serious work” in addressing the historical injustices against the Bangsamoro.
But it’s different for Limba Luge, 57, who, after 31 days of fighting, still refused to abandon her house and a little store.
