The fifth round of talks between the Philippine government and communists was put on hold on the day that it was supposed to open here Saturday, May 27. Both peace panels said it will be deliberating further on the formal resumption of the talks today.
A Martial Law limited in scope, enforced with discipline and restraint, with respect for the Constitution and the inviolability of human rights, can solve specific problems. An unrestrained Martial Law, one that keeps its decisions and movements quiet and secret from its citizens, unconcerned with human dignity, will only compound the problem it seeks to solve.
Human rights group Karapatan recorded a string of human rights violations perpetrated by the government soldiers days after the implementation of Martial Law in Mindanao.
As the fighting continues in Marawi City, thousands of evacuees are now staying temporarily in nearby towns and in Iligan City in Lanao del Norte. Photo shows some evacuees who are being provided with supplies by a team from the ARMM-HEART in Barangay Tomas Cabili in Iligan City on Saturday, May 27. (Alexander Lopez/davaotoday.com)
The New People’s Army Operations Command in Davao region said it will further intensify its “revolutionary struggle” amid the Martial Law declaration in the island of Mindanao.
Fighting continue to erupt in abandoned streets in Marawi City, such as shown in this photo where members of the mobile force of the Philippine National Police in the area are engaging the snipers from the side of the Maute group on Saturday, May 27. (Alexander Lopez/davaotoday.com)
Black smoke billowed from the area of Sarimanok in Marawi City on Saturday morning, May 27 as attack helicopters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines pounded the area where members of Maute group are believed to be holding their position.(Alex D. Lopez/davaotoday.com)
The scheduled opening ceremony for the fifth round of talks between the government and the communists was suspended as the Philippine government announced that it will not participate in the scheduled fifth round of talks here until communists cease its armed operations.
In the strongest terms we condemn terrorism in its various forms. It is an ideology that is totally against the tenets of any religion of peace. Especially so when terrorism is perpetrated while our Muslim brothers and sisters are preparing for the holy month of Ramadhan. Terrorism distorts and falsifies the true meaning of any religion. It destroys harmonious relationships among peoples of different faiths. It creates a world of suspicion and prejudice, of hatred and hostility.
A high ranking official of the Armed Forces of the Philippines said it would not recommend the suspension of freedom of expression but warned it would exercise its right to censure under the state of Martial Law in Mindanao.
