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First Posted on Inside Mindanao (www.insidemindanao.com) on August 27, 2008

Civil society groups call UN to bring the Philippine Government and MILF back to the peace negotiation table
By Ellen Red

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—Mindanao civil society groups have called on the United Nations (UN) to bring the government of the Republic of the Philippines and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) back to the peace negotiation table as soon as possible.

In a letter to UN Secretary–General Ban Ki–moon, Mindanao Commission on Women, Mothers for Peace, Mindanao Peoples' Peace Movement, Mindanao Tri–People Women, Mindanao Young Women Leaders Forum, and Political Caucus of Women Leaders in Mindanao called on the international body "to bring the government of the Republic of the Philippines and MILF back to the peace negotiation table as soon as possible."

The Mindanao civil society groups expressed utmost concern about the recent breakout of violence in some parts of Mindanao following the issuance of a temporary restraining order against the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain by the Philippine Government and the MILF on August 4, 2008.

The Mindanao civil society groups reported that 38 people, most of whom are civilians, have been killed and some 220,000 have been displaced by the recent attacks in Lanao and North Cotabato provinces.

The groups added, "While we believe that MILF units that targeted villages have engaged in serious violations of international law and should be held accountable, we are also seriously concerned about the formation of armed militia units with support from the Department of Interior and Local Government.

"The setting up of armed groups will not protect civilians as some local government officials believe. Rather, it will lead to more chaos, insecurity and division among local communities. The protection of civilians is the responsibility of the State and its security sector such as the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police."

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