Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Bishop urges, stop using peace rhetoric for military operations
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Davao City - A bishop of the clergy-led peace group Exodus for Justice and Peace (EJP) expressed today his concern over the Army’s 10th Infantry Division for its malicious use of peace rhetoric over the Army’s continued military operations in the region.
“We view with concern how the military uses the terms “peace and development” to describe their combat-heavy operations. Six months after these supposedly “peace-driven” activities have started in our country, we have heard the cries of our people. Where is peace then?” said Bishop Delfin Callao, convenor of the group.
Bishop Callao said that an interfaith peace and solidarity mission is currently in Cateel, Davao Oriental to investigate the reported cases of military forces encamped in public places including schools and barangay gyms for military operations.
Quoting reports from human rights workers in the field, the AFP’s 10th ID forces are said to be deployed in towns and civilian communities of Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley. “We do not see these activities of the military as peace efforts but combat operations, detrimental to solving the roots of armed conflict,” Bishop Callao said.
“While we call on the government of the Philippines to pursue the peace talks by complying with the intent of their Joint Oslo Statement in September 21, 2011 to release political prisoners, we also call on the military to immediately stop the militarization of civilian communities,” Bishop Callao said.
“Under the tenets of the International Humanitarian Law, it is prohibited to use schools and other public places for military purposes,” Bishop Callao added.###
“We view with concern how the military uses the terms “peace and development” to describe their combat-heavy operations. Six months after these supposedly “peace-driven” activities have started in our country, we have heard the cries of our people. Where is peace then?” said Bishop Delfin Callao, convenor of the group.
Bishop Callao said that an interfaith peace and solidarity mission is currently in Cateel, Davao Oriental to investigate the reported cases of military forces encamped in public places including schools and barangay gyms for military operations.
Quoting reports from human rights workers in the field, the AFP’s 10th ID forces are said to be deployed in towns and civilian communities of Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley. “We do not see these activities of the military as peace efforts but combat operations, detrimental to solving the roots of armed conflict,” Bishop Callao said.
“While we call on the government of the Philippines to pursue the peace talks by complying with the intent of their Joint Oslo Statement in September 21, 2011 to release political prisoners, we also call on the military to immediately stop the militarization of civilian communities,” Bishop Callao said.
“Under the tenets of the International Humanitarian Law, it is prohibited to use schools and other public places for military purposes,” Bishop Callao added.###
PRESS RELEASE
June 15, 2011
This post was written by: Exodus for Justice and Peace
Exodus for Justice and Peace is a clergy-led peace group. Follow EJP on Twitter
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