COTABATO CITY, Feb. 5 (PNA) — The Mindanao Peaceweavers (MPC), a convergence of seven networks of peace advocates, which includes NGOs, academics, religious groups, human rights groups, people’s organisations and grassroots communities, is pushing for the creation of an independent truth commission to probe the Mamasapano bloody carnage.
In a statement on the Mamasapano tragedy entitled “Sing the songs of the fallen,” MPC endorsed that the independent commission be led by eminent persons such as former Supreme Court Chief Justices Reynato Puno and Hilario Davide Sr., and former Senator Wigberto Tañada. It also appealed to the Senate to enact Senate Bill 2603 in order to install the “Mamasapano Truth Commission” the soonest.
Speaking for MPC, Augusto “Gus” Miclat Jr., executive director and co-founder of the Initiatives for International Dialogue, said that MPC supports all investigation aimed at ferreting out the truth.
“But how are the results of these probes will be consolidated? To whom the results will be submitted? And can these bodies enjoin civil society to be part of their probes?” Miclat said.
Like all other cool-headed organizations, the MPC appealed for sobriety in seeking truth and justice.
“In the light of the uproar, surge of emotions, wave of ethnic slurs in social and mainstream media and unwarranted pronouncements from several legislators tasked to enact the BBL – the call for sobriety is all that we have; our only recourse for now. We may denounce in gravest terms the carnage. We must all seek the truth and justice. But after every rage and storm also comes a calm. And the ‘calm’ here is our steadfast commitment towards addressing the root causes of conflict and the granting of greater autonomy in the beleaguered Muslim Mindanao,” MPC said.
Miclat urged everyone to be part of a tribute advocacy, the “44 Days of Mourning,” starting February 1 until March 15 and offer our “Songs to the Fallen”: a 3-minute absolute silence and prayer to all who have fallen victims to the tragic clash in Mamasapano – the SAF troops, armed actors of the MILF-BIAF, the BIFF and the civilians and the families who have been displaced due to this armed conflict.
The MPC also suggested to the government and MILF to push for the primacy of the peace process, continue commitment to the agreements and protocols and mechanism that worked and kept the peace for several years. It also pushed for “confidence bulding measures to abet the fallout of the Mamasapano crisis.”
MPC asked the MILF to police its ranks and rein in and exercise influence over other armed groups within its vicinity and virtual control.
It asked the government to clarify the presence of American troops at the site of the incident.
“We must grieve and seek justice for now. But let us keep the faith and continue to dialogue until we build a just, sustainable and peaceful tomorrow,” the MPC said. (PNA)